ClubFloyd Transcript of Two Games:
The Fire Tower by Jacqueline A. Lott
At Wit's End by Mike Sousa
As played on ifMUD on March 2, 2008

The idea behind ClubFloyd is that each week at a pre-arranged time, a group of people meet online to cooperatively play a game of interactive fiction.

Below is a transcript of two games.

The first game, The Fire Tower, is by Jacqueline A. Lott. It was originally released as part of the 2004 IF Art Show, where it took Best of Show, and it also received a Xyzzy for Best Setting. You can learn more about the game, including how to download it, by visiting Baf's Guide, and you can skip directly to the section of the transcript that includes The Fire Tower by clicking here.

The second game, At Wit's End, is by Mike Sousa. It was originally released as part of the 2000 IF Competition, where it took seventeenth place. You can learn more about the game, including how to download it, by visiting Baf's Guide, and you can skip directly to the section of the transcript that includes At Wit's End by clicking here.


Many thanks to David Welbourn for sitting in for me and to both him and Jayson Smith for saving a transcript on this particular day, as I was away on a business trip. Thanks, you two!

WARNING! Below you will find a transcript of people playing these games, and it goes without saying that the transcript is full of spoilers. So, if you've never played these games, and think you might like to at some point, I do not recommend reading any further. Instead, you might want to return to the interactive fiction page.

Floyd | Welcome to the Cheap Glk Implementation, library version 0.9.0.
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd | "You're certain that you'll be okay on your own?" he asks.

Floyd |
Floyd | You smile at him, tightening the pack around your waist. A slight
Floyd | laugh creeps into your voice - it's not as if you haven't done this
Floyd | before. "Yes, dear. I'll be fine. It's nothing personal, I just..."
Floyd | You take in the concerned expression on his face and your voice
Floyd | softens slightly. "I just need a break. Not from you, necessarily, but

Floyd | from everything: work, responsibilities, friends. I just need a day to
Floyd | myself, you know?"
Floyd |
Floyd | He nods. "Yeah. Yeah, I guess I do. No worries; I get like that myself
Floyd | sometimes. Just in case something happens, what route do you plan to
Floyd | take? Your usual?"

Floyd |
Floyd | You nod. "Yeah. I'll head up the long way, on the Lower Mt. Cammerer
Floyd | trail, hit the Appalachian trail to get to the tower, then descend by
Floyd | going further down the AT towards Low Gap. I'll take the Low Gap trail
Floyd | back to the campground."
Floyd |

Floyd | He smiles at you. "Like I said, 'Your usual.'  Listen, I'll be back to
Floyd | pick you up about... Hm, what time?"
Floyd |
Floyd | "Well, if I were just hiking, I could be out by mid-afternoon, but I
Floyd | really want to take my time and enjoy things. I guess it gets dark
Floyd | about... what? Half past nine these days?" He nods. "I should be out

Floyd | by then. I'll meet you right back here at nine-thirty, okay?" you
Floyd | offer up your most reassuring smile.
Floyd |
Floyd | "Sure," he says. "I love you. Be careful, and have a great hike."
Floyd |
Floyd | With that, he kisses you lightly on the lips and gets back in the car.

Floyd | He waves out the driver's side window and heads off toward the north
Floyd | end of the parking lot, towards home. Soon, the car is out of sight
Floyd | entirely.
Floyd |

Floyd | [Press any key...]
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd | The Fire Tower
Floyd | A virtual summer hike
Floyd | Copyright (c) 2004 by Jacqueline A. Lott
Floyd | Submitted as a Landscape Entry to the 2004 IF Art Show
Floyd | For hints and information, type "about."

Floyd |
Floyd | Enjoy your walk, and thank you for playing.
Floyd |
Floyd | Release 1 / Serial number 040528 / Inform v6.30 Library 6/10
Floyd |
Floyd | Hiker Parking

Floyd | Standing alone at the edge of the deserted parking lot, you take in a
Floyd | deep breath of fresh air and glance about. An inviting trail beckons
Floyd | from the forest to the east; that path quickly curves among the
Floyd | hemlocks and out of sight. Two roads depart from the parking lot: one
Floyd | leads north, towards home, the other south, toward the campground not
Floyd | quite half a mile distant.

Floyd |
Floyd | Today's hike is one you've done many times before, and you're
Floyd | intimately familiar with the ground you'll cover. You know without the
Floyd | aid of a map that you can proceed either east or south, and that
Floyd | either route will bring you toward the Lower Mt. Cammerer trail. From
Floyd | there it's a slow and steady climb to the fire tower.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You are carrying:
Floyd |   some socks (being worn)

Floyd |   some hiking shorts (being worn)
Floyd |   a shirt (being worn)
Floyd |   some hiking boots (being worn)
Floyd |   a hip pack (being worn and closed)
Floyd |   a watch (being worn)
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | I only understood you as far as wanting to set the forest.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't see any such thing.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Modesty (and probably a law about public indecency) prevent you from
Floyd | following through on this idea, no matter how hot you might be.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You glance down at your watch, a rather chunky and unstylish
Floyd | accoutrement purchased for fifteen dollars at the drugstore. Fashion
Floyd | critiques aside, it's a functional, water-resistant, glow in the dark
Floyd | timepiece.

Floyd |
Floyd | At present, it indicates that the time is 7:02 AM.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You glance down and the first thing you see are your hiking boots.
Floyd | They're serious hiking boots - eight inches high, all leather exterior
Floyd | with Gore-Tex lining; so long as you don't walk through water more
Floyd | than, say, seven or seven and a half inches deep, your feet will stay
Floyd | dry. These boots consume most of your lower calves in a rather
Floyd | unladylike but not altogether unattractive way, and bits of your thick

Floyd | Thorlo socks are just visible.
Floyd |
Floyd | Your legs, feminine but muscular, are revealed to the world because
Floyd | you're wearing shorts, which, let's be honest, is probably silly,
Floyd | because you'll no doubt end up covered in bug bites and scratches, but
Floyd | it's sooo warm and you simply couldn't resist - it will give you

Floyd | something to complain about tomorrow, but only to the people who won't
Floyd | say, "Why didn't you wear pants?"
Floyd |
Floyd | At any rate, a long sleeved t-shirt rounds out the ensemble. You're
Floyd | comfortable, and you're ready to hike.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You don't know what you'd do without your wonderful hip pack on day
Floyd | hikes like this. It's compact, it's capable of carrying everything you
Floyd | could really need (even in an emergency), it holds a water bottle, and
Floyd | it's your favorite color (green!).

Floyd |
Floyd | A slight breeze blows out of the east.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You take off the watch.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |

Floyd | Hiker Parking
Floyd | The hiker parking area is where people generally leave their cars
Floyd | while exploring the nearby trail system in the national park, but this
Floyd | morning it's devoid of vehicles. A grassy hill, recently mown, lines
Floyd | the western edge of the parking lot, while a forest abuts it to the
Floyd | east. From the parking lot there are two roads: one departing north,

Floyd | toward the park exit, and one leading south toward the campground just
Floyd | under half a mile away. A trail enters the woods to the east, quickly
Floyd | disappearing amongst the hemlocks.
Floyd |
Floyd | For your hike, you can proceed either east or south. Either route will
Floyd | take you to the Lower Mt. Cammerer trail.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You put your watch back on before walking away, just to make certain
Floyd | that you don't lose it.

Floyd |
Floyd | You decide it's best to leave the pavement as quickly as possible, and
Floyd | opt for the trail into the woods. The path, lined with wildflowers,
Floyd | curves south, then southeast, before joining with the Lower Mt.
Floyd | Cammerer trail.
Floyd |

Floyd | Trail Junction (Lower Mt. Cammerer & Access trails)
Floyd | You're standing at the junction of two trails, and two signs are
Floyd | nailed to a single post here to orient you. The Lower Mt. Cammerer
Floyd | trail heads northeast, toward the Sutton Ridge Overlook and,
Floyd | eventually, to the Appalachian Trail. Alternately, the trail continues
Floyd | southwest toward the campground, about two tenths of a mile away. A

Floyd | second trail, unnamed, runs northwest, toward the parking area where
Floyd | you began, or southeast, toward the Low Gap Trail.
Floyd |
Floyd | A patch of yellow flowers is growing at the base of the signpost.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | As much as you might love to pick some of the flowers, you'd prefer to
Floyd | leave them for the next hiker to enjoy. And besides, this is a
Floyd | National Park; things should be left untouched and in their natural

Floyd | state so that everyone can enjoy the beauty. There are flowers to pick
Floyd | in the garden back home.
Floyd |
Floyd | >
Floyd | As much as you might love to pick some of the flowers, you'd prefer to
Floyd | leave them for the next hiker to enjoy. And besides, this is a

Floyd | National Park; things should be left untouched and in their natural
Floyd | state so that everyone can enjoy the beauty. There are flowers to pick
Floyd | in the garden back home.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Hm... you can't really detect much of a scent from these flowers.
Floyd | Their delicate beauty makes up for the lack of scent.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | (first taking the wildflowers)
Floyd | As much as you might love to pick some of the flowers, you'd prefer to
Floyd | leave them for the next hiker to enjoy. And besides, this is a
Floyd | National Park; things should be left untouched and in their natural

Floyd | state so that everyone can enjoy the beauty. There are flowers to pick
Floyd | in the garden back home.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You jump up and down, but the weight of your pack banging around on
Floyd | your hips is rather uncomfortable, so you quickly cease your hopping.
Floyd |
Floyd | An insect lights upon your ear, but a wave of your hand sends it away.
Floyd |

Floyd | >
Floyd | You can't see any such thing.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You're standing at the junction of two trails, one running
Floyd | northwest-southeast, the other running northeast-southwest. At the
Floyd | north corner of the junction, two signs are nailed to a single post
Floyd | indicating where each trail leads.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | There are two signs on the post. The uppermost sign faces southeast,
Floyd | and is oriented so that you know it pertains to the trail that runs
Floyd | northeast-southwest; it reads:
Floyd |

Floyd | LOWER MOUNT CAMMERER TRAIL
Floyd | Sutton Ridge Overlook 1.2 >
Floyd | Appalachian Trail 7.3 >
Floyd | < Cosby Campground 0.2
Floyd |

Floyd | The other sign faces southwest and pertains to the access trail from
Floyd | the parking lot, which has no name; the sign reads:
Floyd |
Floyd | Low Gap Trail 0.4 ->
Floyd | <- Hiker Parking 0.4

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Time passes.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You can see no such thing.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't see any such thing.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't see any such thing.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't see any such thing.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Lower Mt. Cammerer & Access trails)

Floyd | You're standing at the junction of two trails, one running
Floyd | northwest-southeast, the other running northeast-southwest. At the
Floyd | north corner of the junction, two signs are nailed to a single post
Floyd | indicating where each trail leads.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You take a look at the trail sign and confirm that that way just leads
Floyd | back to the parking area where you began. Your route heads northeast,

Floyd | up the Lower Mt. Cammerer trail.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You head northeast. A quarter mile or so down the path you encounter a
Floyd | shallow stream, easily crossed by hopping from one rock to the next
Floyd | without getting your boots wet.
Floyd |

Floyd | Before long, the trail narrows from a road to a trail. The vegetation
Floyd | closes in on each side as well as overhead, forming a darkened tunnel
Floyd | of rhododendron. It's a pleasant stroll along this section, quiet,
Floyd | with only the smallest shafts of sunlight penetrating the thick
Floyd | canopy, but you're evidently the first person to break trail today and
Floyd | you keep hitting unseen strands of spider web. Eventually the tunnel

Floyd | disappears, the canopy opens up, and as you pick the last wispy cob
Floyd | web from your hiking shorts, you notice that you've arrived at the
Floyd | footbridge.
Floyd |
Floyd | Tom's Creek
Floyd | Sunlight pours forth into a large opening in the trees here,

Floyd | illuminating bits of pollen floating in the air and sparkling on the
Floyd | surface of Tom's Creek. The stream flows northwest, gurgling beneath a
Floyd | rustic but sturdy log footbridge.
Floyd |
Floyd | You hear the distinctive sound of a woodpecker in the distance.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | Tom's Creek is wide, perhaps thirty feet across, and sufficiently deep
Floyd | enough to merit the presence of a foot bridge. The water slides over
Floyd | rocks, slips over semi-submerged boulders into small white cascades,
Floyd | pauses near the bank in tiny eddies, and seemingly stops in darkened
Floyd | pools. Eventually, it flows off to the northwest, giggling and

Floyd | whispering its secrets to the forest as it goes.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You're sure the cold, clear water would taste fantastic, but you also

Floyd | know that it might make you sick. Looks are deceiving, and despite its
Floyd | clarity there might be bacteria present. You've no filter, no way to
Floyd | boil it, and besides all that, you have some perfectly acceptable
Floyd | water in your water bottle.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You splash your boots about at the edge of the stream, but ultimately
Floyd | decide to stand on the bank so as to keep from accidentally getting
Floyd | your socks wet. You forgot to bring a spare pair. You forgot a few
Floyd | things in your rush to get out the door. Oh well.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | Tom's Creek
Floyd | Tom's Creek flows across the path here, beneath a sturdy log
Floyd | footbridge. The path continues on the other side of the bridge, to the

Floyd | northeast.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The stream is fairly wide and a bit too deep to cross without getting

Floyd | your socks wet, and so a foot bridge has been installed. It's a simple
Floyd | structure, half of a log with its flat side facing up for a walking
Floyd | surface. A hand rail affixed to one side allows will help you maintain
Floyd | your balance as you cross. It's functional, yet blends in well with
Floyd | the natural surroundings.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | It would be best to keep to the trail, which continues to the
Floyd | northeast.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You climb onto the footbridge over Tom's Creek, walk halfway across,
Floyd | and pause. One hand on the railing for balance, you close your eyes,
Floyd | feel the coolness of the water running beneath you, and concentrate on

Floyd | the sound of the water as it ripples along over unseen rocks. You
Floyd | stand there for perhaps two minutes, enjoying the water's song, but
Floyd | eventually the cool air coming off the creek is too much for your
Floyd | uncovered legs and you decide to continue up the trail.
Floyd |
Floyd | After walking about a third of a mile, you come to a trail junction.

Floyd |
Floyd | Spur Trail to Sutton Ridge
Floyd | The trail crests the first of many ridges along the northern side of
Floyd | Mt. Cammerer here. Sutton Ridge, as it's called, is dry and exposed -
Floyd | perhaps not the loveliest spot for a rest break. But from here, a tiny
Floyd | spur trial scrambles up the ridge to the southeast, and the clearing

Floyd | at the top generally provides an lovely view of the surrounding
Floyd | mountains.
Floyd |
Floyd | You pause to contemplate whether you'd like to check out the spur
Floyd | trail, or to simply continue east, toward the fire tower.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You decide to make the scramble up to the overlook. It's only
Floyd | two-hundred yards, but the climb is steep and leaves you winded once

Floyd | you reach the top.
Floyd |
Floyd | Sutton Ridge Overlook
Floyd | The Sutton Ridge Overlook is a very formal name for a very informal
Floyd | clearing on the side of a hill. The ground here remains bare from
Floyd | people such as yourself coming up here to take in the view; evenings

Floyd | in particular are a great time to visit, because this is a wonderful
Floyd | vantage point from which to take in the sunset over Gabes Mountain,
Floyd | across the valley to the west. Though perhaps not quite so stunning as
Floyd | at sunset, the clearing is still quite beautiful during the day. To
Floyd | the north, the Cosby Valley stretches out lush and green, and mountain
Floyd | laurel dots the surrounding hillsides, pink and in full bloom. Galax

Floyd | and arbutus line the edges of the clearing at ground level.
Floyd |
Floyd | You sit down on the ground in the clearing to catch your breath and
Floyd | take in the view.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The Cosby Valley rests between Mt. Cammerer and Gabes Mountain, lush
Floyd | and green. Though you can't see within its depths, you know that the
Floyd | Pigeon River courses along its floor, far below you.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | The galax is a lovely shade of green with round, waxy leaves. They
Floyd | stay green all winter.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You get back up and brush off your clothes. Break's over.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The ground, where it lacks vegetation, is brown and dry.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I only understood you as far as wanting to look.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You work your way carefully down the steep spur trail.
Floyd |
Floyd | Spur Trail to Sutton Ridge
Floyd | You're standing at a bend in the trail on the crest of Sutton Ridge.
Floyd | The trail turns from south to east here, and a spur trail scrambles

Floyd | through the arbutus and galax to the southeast.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't see any such thing.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Mrm... no, you've already had that diversion. Probably best to trek on
Floyd | east, toward the fire tower.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You leave the spur trail behind and head down the eastern side of the

Floyd | ridge. The path is a long, narrow straightaway, and the walking is
Floyd | easy. After less than a quarter mile you come to a lovely little
Floyd | waterfall, and pause to admire its beauty.
Floyd |
Floyd | Riding Fork Creek
Floyd | Whereas Sutton Ridge was a high spot, dry and exposed, this is a tiny

Floyd | creek draw between two ridges. Riding Fork Creek cascades down a
Floyd | series of mossy dark gray rocks here, southeast of the trail. You can
Floyd | continue on toward the fire tower by hopping across the creek to the
Floyd | north.
Floyd |
Floyd | A gentle breeze brushes your skin.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Riding Fork Creek may be small, but that doesn't make it any less
Floyd | majestic: a narrow stream of water tumbles down over a series of

Floyd | chiseled, squarish, dark grey rocks, almost like a contrived fountain,
Floyd | and yet it's natural.
Floyd |
Floyd | You feel the coolness coming off the water and close your eyes. A
Floyd | smile touches your lips, and you breathe in the refreshingly chilled
Floyd | air. You take a moment to contemplate how even in the driest of years

Floyd | this tiny stream persists, flowing ever on, regardless of who's here
Floyd | to admire its beauty. You think like that sometimes... wondering about
Floyd | purpose, about process. About the way in which everything moves on
Floyd | regardless of your presence or concerns.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I only understood you as far as wanting to think.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You take a moment to consider your next move.
Floyd |
Floyd | A gnat is momentarily caught in your eyelashes, but you blink it away.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | The ridge climbs sharply upward in that direction, with no path. You'd
Floyd | tear up a great deal of vegetation trying to make the climb. It would
Floyd | be better, perhaps, to remain on the trail. From here, you can go

Floyd | north.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You cross Riding Fork Creek and continue weaving over and between

Floyd | ridges, making the long, slow climb along the northern face of Mt.
Floyd | Cammerer.
Floyd |
Floyd | After a mile and a half or so, you come to Campsite 35, the only
Floyd | developed backcountry campsite along the trail today. There's no one
Floyd | present, so you rest at one of the scorched fire rings, nibble on some

Floyd | trail mix, and watch a squirrel as he goes about his business.
Floyd |
Floyd | After a pleasant break, you continue on toward the tower. The gradual
Floyd | nature of the climb gives way to a steeper ascent, and after an
Floyd | additional two and three-quarter miles, you reach the next landmark of
Floyd | today's hike.

Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Lower Mt Cammerer and Appalachian trails)
Floyd | The Lower Mt. Cammerer trail ends here at a junction with the famous
Floyd | Appalachian Trail. Commonly referred to simply as the "AT," the trail
Floyd | covers nearly the entire length of the Appalachian Mountains, from
Floyd | Maine to Georgia - a distance of over two thousand miles. You wish

Floyd | that you'd taken a summer off during college to hike the length of it,
Floyd | but there's no point in regretting that now. There's always retirement
Floyd | to look forward to, right? You sigh wistfully at the thought and plop
Floyd | down onto the ground among the roots of a large tulip poplar growing
Floyd | in the center of the junction.
Floyd |

Floyd | The AT runs east-west here. According to the sign, it's only another
Floyd | three miles to the tower.
Floyd |
Floyd | A gentle breeze caresses your skin.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You'll have to get off the ground first.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You get back up and brush off your clothes. Break's over.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Lower Mt Cammerer and Appalachian trails)
Floyd | The AT climbs from east to west here, ascending toward the peak of the
Floyd | mountain and the fire tower. The Lower Mt. Cammerer trail, from which

Floyd | you accessed the AT, descends out of the junction to the northwest.
Floyd |
Floyd | A sudden explosion of sound to your right alerts you to the presence
Floyd | of a grouse. As you stand there with your hand to your chest it flies
Floyd | off, equally as startled by your presence.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You don't see any grouse just now.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You look uphill at the rather intimidating stretch of steep trail,
Floyd | tighten your pack about your waist, and let out a long, slow breath.
Floyd | You've done this stretch many, many times, but no matter how in shape
Floyd | you get it always tends to kick your ass. Oh well, half begun is half
Floyd | done (or some stupid clich?).
Floyd |

Floyd | The trail is a steep mess of tree roots and rock, and for the next two
Floyd | and a half miles you feel as if you're working out on a gigantic
Floyd | natural stairmaster, dragging your heavy feet up one step at a time.
Floyd | You plow along like that with your head down for over an hour, your
Floyd | gaze rarely if ever straying from your boots to prevent tripping.
Floyd | Mercifully, you reach the next trail junction.

Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Mt. Cammerer Trails)
Floyd | The trail is wide here, with lots of bare ground from so many hikers
Floyd | having rested in this location before you. There's little to see here,
Floyd | really, save for the trail sign that benevolently announces that
Floyd | you're very close to your goal.

Floyd |
Floyd | The wind picks up for a moment, cooling your skin in the growing heat
Floyd | of the day.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | There appear to be only woods in that direction, with no path among
Floyd | the trees. The AT continues to the southwest, or you can visit the
Floyd | fire tower by heading north.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You set off toward the fire tower. The trail runs along the top of a
Floyd | rocky ridge, but it's well-used and, for the most part, easily walked.
Floyd | The last few feet are a bit of a scramble, but you effortlessly manage

Floyd | the boulders and find yourself standing triumphantly on the porch of
Floyd | the fire tower.
Floyd |
Floyd | Mt. Cammerer, Outside the Fire Tower
Floyd | The Mt. Cammerer fire tower sits atop a jagged, rocky peak with a
Floyd | commanding view of the surrounding mountains. It's a fantastic

Floyd | location for such a structure, really, because you can see for miles
Floyd | in every direction and it would be easy to spot a plume of smoke,
Floyd | particularly if you used binoculars.
Floyd |
Floyd | You lean against the railing and take in the landscape. Gorgeous, and
Floyd | so worth the effort.

Floyd |
Floyd | A hawk cries in the sky above you, momentarily drawing your attention.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The hawk circles high overhead, seemingly without effort.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You wish to have the freedom of a bird. Why not settle for the freedom
Floyd | of your feet?
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You take a quick peek over the edge of the railing and decide that
Floyd | falling to the rocks below might be bad for your health.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | Fortunately, the railing prevents you from toppling over the edge
Floyd | toward certain injury and possible death. You can leave the tower by
Floyd | going southwest.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | Mt. Cammerer, Outside the Fire Tower

Floyd | The fire tower has a commanding view of the surrounding mountains. You
Floyd | can enter the tower or simply return back the way you came. The trail
Floyd | departs to the southwest.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You walk to the railing, lean against it, and take in the view. It's a
Floyd | wonderfully clear day, and it feels as if you're able to see the
Floyd | entire world from here - mountain after mountain, sprawling to the
Floyd | horizon. You can see Webb Mountain to the north, where your house is

Floyd | nestled somewhere in the trees. Beyond is Bays Mountain and, further
Floyd | still and slightly west, Clinch Mountain.
Floyd |
Floyd | You walk around the tower and look to the east. Snowbird Mountain lies
Floyd | just the other side of the Pigeon River gorge. Beyond that, the Unakas
Floyd | and, further still, the Blue Ridge.

Floyd |
Floyd | Traversing the porch to the south, you see the Mt. Sterling Lookout on
Floyd | a distant ridge, barely visible without binoculars.
Floyd |
Floyd | Finally, you step to the western railing and look out onto peaks of
Floyd | whose names you are not certain. The names aren't important, really,

Floyd | merely random designations of natural landmarks. First the Cherokee
Floyd | gave them names, then the Europeans, and perhaps someday someone else
Floyd | will call them something new. But the mountains will endure
Floyd | regardless. Or so you hope.
Floyd |
Floyd | A small purple butterfly flits across the trail in front of you and

Floyd | disappears among the trees.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Having enjoyed a pleasant break in the company of an amazing view, you

Floyd | decide to start back toward home.
Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Mt. Cammerer Trails)
Floyd | The AT runs from northeast to southwest here, continuing on toward Low
Floyd | Gap. A trail sign announces that the Mt. Cammerer fire tower is
Floyd | located just over half a mile to the north.

Floyd |
Floyd | A tiny chipmunk climbs to the top of a nearby rock, chatters in your
Floyd | general direction, then bounces away.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | There appear to be only woods in that direction, with no path among
Floyd | the trees. The AT continues to the southwest, or you can visit the
Floyd | fire tower by heading north.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | Nah... you've already been there, done that, and heading back out to
Floyd | the tower would add an additional mile to your hike, which, quite
Floyd | frankly, is long enough already. Best to head back to the parking lot

Floyd | now. The AT departs to the southwest, toward Low Gap.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Mt. Cammerer Trails)
Floyd | [Previous turn undone.]
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You may undo one turn and one turn only.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You may undo one turn and one turn only.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You recommence climbing the Appalachian Trail. Just as with the

Floyd | previous stretch, it's littered with roots and rocks and excessive
Floyd | steepness, and makes you not such a happy hiker. "Oh well," you think
Floyd | to yourself, "it's making me stronger. Stronger. Yes. Stronger."  You
Floyd | continue this rather ineffective little pep talk for about a half a
Floyd | mile, at which point the trail graciously levels out along the crest
Floyd | of a ridge.

Floyd |
Floyd | You find an easy, confident pace, and begin to notice how effortlessly
Floyd | your legs move on this type of terrain. The lack of obstructions in
Floyd | the trail allows you to take in the view as you hike, and incredible
Floyd | mountain vistas are present on both sides of the trail for a short
Floyd | while - successive waves of blue, smoky ridges trailing off into the

Floyd | distance.
Floyd |
Floyd | After a bit, the trail begins to descend off the ridge and into the
Floyd | trees... gradually at first, then steeper, and your pace finds a
Floyd | decrescendo as you carefully navigate the slope. Many people prefer a
Floyd | strenuous uphill to this, because descending can be fairly hard on

Floyd | your knees and ankles, but after the beating your lungs and legs took
Floyd | on the AT earlier, you are inclined to respectfully disagree.
Floyd |
Floyd | After a total walk of just over two miles, you encounter another trail
Floyd | junction.
Floyd |

Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Low Gap trails)
Floyd | Two trails cross here, in the center of what's called Low Gap, so
Floyd | named because it's the lowest pass through the mountains for over
Floyd | fifty miles if you were traveling along the Appalachian Trail headed
Floyd | north. The AT runs from northeast to southwest here, climbing toward
Floyd | Cosby Knob and beyond - all the way to Georgia. The Low Gap trail

Floyd | crosses perpendicular to the AT, descending in both directions:
Floyd | southeast, toward Walnut Bottoms and Big Creek, or northwest, toward
Floyd | the Cosby Campground and, for you, home.
Floyd |
Floyd | A sign at one side of the junction points the way and provides the
Floyd | mileage to nearby landmarks.

Floyd |
Floyd | Your socks have shifted uncomfortably in your boots, so you take a
Floyd | seat in the clearing to readjust them. Once you're finished, you
Floyd | decide the ground feels good enough to simply rest there for a bit.
Floyd |
Floyd | A cool breeze builds momentarily from the east, cooling your skin.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Mt. Cammerer Trails)
Floyd | [Previous turn undone.]
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Mt. Cammerer Trails)
Floyd | [Previous turn undone.]
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |

Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Mt. Cammerer Trails)
Floyd | The AT runs from northeast to southwest here, continuing on toward Low
Floyd | Gap. A trail sign announces that the Mt. Cammerer fire tower is
Floyd | located just over half a mile to the north.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Mt. Cammerer Trails)
Floyd | [Previous turn undone.]
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd |

Floyd | I beg your pardon?
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Mt. Cammerer Trails)

Floyd | The AT runs from northeast to southwest here, continuing on toward Low
Floyd | Gap. A trail sign announces that the Mt. Cammerer fire tower is
Floyd | located just over half a mile to the north.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Nah... you've already been there, done that, and heading back out to
Floyd | the tower would add an additional mile to your hike, which, quite
Floyd | frankly, is long enough already. Best to head back to the parking lot
Floyd | now. The AT departs to the southwest, toward Low Gap.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Are you sure you want to restart?

Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd | "You're certain that you'll be okay on your own?" he asks.
Floyd |
Floyd | You smile at him, tightening the pack around your waist. A slight
Floyd | laugh creeps into your voice - it's not as if you haven't done this
Floyd | before. "Yes, dear. I'll be fine. It's nothing personal, I just..."

Floyd | You take in the concerned expression on his face and your voice
Floyd | softens slightly. "I just need a break. Not from you, necessarily, but
Floyd | from everything: work, responsibilities, friends. I just need a day to
Floyd | myself, you know?"
Floyd |
Floyd | He nods. "Yeah. Yeah, I guess I do. No worries; I get like that myself

Floyd | sometimes. Just in case something happens, what route do you plan to
Floyd | take? Your usual?"
Floyd |
Floyd | You nod. "Yeah. I'll head up the long way, on the Lower Mt. Cammerer
Floyd | trail, hit the Appalachian trail to get to the tower, then descend by
Floyd | going further down the AT towards Low Gap. I'll take the Low Gap trail

Floyd | back to the campground."
Floyd |
Floyd | He smiles at you. "Like I said, 'Your usual.'  Listen, I'll be back to
Floyd | pick you up about... Hm, what time?"
Floyd |
Floyd | "Well, if I were just hiking, I could be out by mid-afternoon, but I

Floyd | really want to take my time and enjoy things. I guess it gets dark
Floyd | about... what? Half past nine these days?" He nods. "I should be out
Floyd | by then. I'll meet you right back here at nine-thirty, okay?" you
Floyd | offer up your most reassuring smile.
Floyd |
Floyd | "Sure," he says. "I love you. Be careful, and have a great hike."

Floyd |
Floyd | With that, he kisses you lightly on the lips and gets back in the car.
Floyd | He waves out the driver's side window and heads off toward the north
Floyd | end of the parking lot, towards home. Soon, the car is out of sight
Floyd | entirely.
Floyd |

Floyd | [Press any key...]
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd | The Fire Tower

Floyd | A virtual summer hike
Floyd | Copyright (c) 2004 by Jacqueline A. Lott
Floyd | Submitted as a Landscape Entry to the 2004 IF Art Show
Floyd | For hints and information, type "about."
Floyd |
Floyd | Enjoy your walk, and thank you for playing.

Floyd |
Floyd | Release 1 / Serial number 040528 / Inform v6.30 Library 6/10
Floyd |
Floyd | Hiker Parking
Floyd | Standing alone at the edge of the deserted parking lot, you take in a
Floyd | deep breath of fresh air and glance about. An inviting trail beckons

Floyd | from the forest to the east; that path quickly curves among the
Floyd | hemlocks and out of sight. Two roads depart from the parking lot: one
Floyd | leads north, towards home, the other south, toward the campground not
Floyd | quite half a mile distant.
Floyd |
Floyd | Today's hike is one you've done many times before, and you're

Floyd | intimately familiar with the ground you'll cover. You know without the
Floyd | aid of a map that you can proceed either east or south, and that
Floyd | either route will bring you toward the Lower Mt. Cammerer trail. From
Floyd | there it's a slow and steady climb to the fire tower.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | As you enter the campground, you realize that it's early yet - none of
Floyd | the campers seem to be stirring. You attempt to make as little noise
Floyd | as possible with your boots against the pavement, and after about four
Floyd | tenths of a mile you reach the trailhead.

Floyd |
Floyd | Lower Mt. Cammerer Trailhead
Floyd | You're standing at the edge of the road on the eastern edge of the
Floyd | Cosby Campground. A familiar wooden sign, painted brown with bright
Floyd | white lettering stands here, just off the pavement and to the left of
Floyd | the trail. As with all of the National Park Service's trail signs, it

Floyd | gives you the name of the trail and the distance to the nearest
Floyd | important junctions. This one reads:
Floyd |
Floyd | LOWER MOUNT CAMMERER TRAIL
Floyd | Low Gap Trail 0.2
Floyd | Sutton Ridge Overlook 1.4

Floyd | Appalachian Trail 7.5
Floyd |
Floyd | The dirt trail is wide enough here to accommodate a full-size vehicle,
Floyd | and begins behind a locked gate.
Floyd |
Floyd | A slight breeze blows out of the east.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | Lower Mt. Cammerer Trailhead

Floyd | A standard NPS trail sign indicates that the Lower Mt. Cammerer trail
Floyd | begins here, leaving the pavement and entering the woods to the
Floyd | northeast.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You step behind the gate and begin walking the wide trail. Tire tracks
Floyd | are evident here and there where the soil is softer; the rangers have
Floyd | been back here recently for some reason. There's a gentle uphill
Floyd | grade, though it's barely noticeable, and before too long you come to

Floyd | another trail sign.
Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Lower Mt. Cammerer & Access trails)
Floyd | You're standing at the junction of two trails, and two signs are
Floyd | nailed to a single post here to orient you. The Lower Mt. Cammerer
Floyd | trail heads northeast, toward the Sutton Ridge Overlook and,

Floyd | eventually, to the Appalachian Trail. Alternately, the trail continues
Floyd | southwest toward the campground, about two tenths of a mile away. A
Floyd | second trail, unnamed, runs northwest, toward the parking area where
Floyd | you began, or southeast, toward the Low Gap Trail.
Floyd |
Floyd | A patch of yellow flowers is growing at the base of the signpost.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You head northeast. A quarter mile or so down the path you encounter a
Floyd | shallow stream, easily crossed by hopping from one rock to the next

Floyd | without getting your boots wet.
Floyd |
Floyd | Before long, the trail narrows from a road to a trail. The vegetation
Floyd | closes in on each side as well as overhead, forming a darkened tunnel
Floyd | of rhododendron. It's a pleasant stroll along this section, quiet,
Floyd | with only the smallest shafts of sunlight penetrating the thick

Floyd | canopy, but you're evidently the first person to break trail today and
Floyd | you keep hitting unseen strands of spider web. Eventually the tunnel
Floyd | disappears, the canopy opens up, and as you pick the last wispy cob
Floyd | web from your hiking shorts, you notice that you've arrived at the
Floyd | footbridge.
Floyd |

Floyd | Tom's Creek
Floyd | Sunlight pours forth into a large opening in the trees here,
Floyd | illuminating bits of pollen floating in the air and sparkling on the
Floyd | surface of Tom's Creek. The stream flows northwest, gurgling beneath a
Floyd | rustic but sturdy log footbridge.
Floyd |

Floyd | You hear the distinctive sound of a woodpecker in the distance.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The water appears to be too deep to cross in that direction. It's

Floyd | perhaps best to instead use the footbridge.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | It would be best to keep to the trail, which continues to the

Floyd | northeast.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You climb onto the footbridge over Tom's Creek, walk halfway across,

Floyd | and pause. One hand on the railing for balance, you close your eyes,
Floyd | feel the coolness of the water running beneath you, and concentrate on
Floyd | the sound of the water as it ripples along over unseen rocks. You
Floyd | stand there for perhaps two minutes, enjoying the water's song, but
Floyd | eventually the cool air coming off the creek is too much for your
Floyd | uncovered legs and you decide to continue up the trail.

Floyd |
Floyd | After walking about a third of a mile, you come to a trail junction.
Floyd |
Floyd | Spur Trail to Sutton Ridge
Floyd | The trail crests the first of many ridges along the northern side of
Floyd | Mt. Cammerer here. Sutton Ridge, as it's called, is dry and exposed -

Floyd | perhaps not the loveliest spot for a rest break. But from here, a tiny
Floyd | spur trial scrambles up the ridge to the southeast, and the clearing
Floyd | at the top generally provides an lovely view of the surrounding
Floyd | mountains.
Floyd |
Floyd | You pause to contemplate whether you'd like to check out the spur

Floyd | trail, or to simply continue east, toward the fire tower.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You decide to make the scramble up to the overlook. It's only

Floyd | two-hundred yards, but the climb is steep and leaves you winded once
Floyd | you reach the top.
Floyd |
Floyd | Sutton Ridge Overlook
Floyd | The Sutton Ridge Overlook is a very formal name for a very informal
Floyd | clearing on the side of a hill. The ground here remains bare from

Floyd | people such as yourself coming up here to take in the view; evenings
Floyd | in particular are a great time to visit, because this is a wonderful
Floyd | vantage point from which to take in the sunset over Gabes Mountain,
Floyd | across the valley to the west. Though perhaps not quite so stunning as
Floyd | at sunset, the clearing is still quite beautiful during the day. To
Floyd | the north, the Cosby Valley stretches out lush and green, and mountain

Floyd | laurel dots the surrounding hillsides, pink and in full bloom. Galax
Floyd | and arbutus line the edges of the clearing at ground level.
Floyd |
Floyd | You sit down on the ground in the clearing to catch your breath and
Floyd | take in the view.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You get back up and brush off your clothes. Break's over.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You work your way carefully down the steep spur trail.
Floyd |
Floyd | Spur Trail to Sutton Ridge
Floyd | You're standing at a bend in the trail on the crest of Sutton Ridge.

Floyd | The trail turns from south to east here, and a spur trail scrambles
Floyd | through the arbutus and galax to the southeast.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You leave the spur trail behind and head down the eastern side of the
Floyd | ridge. The path is a long, narrow straightaway, and the walking is
Floyd | easy. After less than a quarter mile you come to a lovely little
Floyd | waterfall, and pause to admire its beauty.
Floyd |
Floyd | Riding Fork Creek

Floyd | Whereas Sutton Ridge was a high spot, dry and exposed, this is a tiny
Floyd | creek draw between two ridges. Riding Fork Creek cascades down a
Floyd | series of mossy dark gray rocks here, southeast of the trail. You can
Floyd | continue on toward the fire tower by hopping across the creek to the
Floyd | north.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You cross Riding Fork Creek and continue weaving over and between
Floyd | ridges, making the long, slow climb along the northern face of Mt.
Floyd | Cammerer.

Floyd |
Floyd | After a mile and a half or so, you come to Campsite 35, the only
Floyd | developed backcountry campsite along the trail today. There's no one
Floyd | present, so you rest at one of the scorched fire rings, nibble on some
Floyd | trail mix, and watch a squirrel as he goes about his business.
Floyd |

Floyd | After a pleasant break, you continue on toward the tower. The gradual
Floyd | nature of the climb gives way to a steeper ascent, and after an
Floyd | additional two and three-quarter miles, you reach the next landmark of
Floyd | today's hike.
Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Lower Mt Cammerer and Appalachian trails)

Floyd | The Lower Mt. Cammerer trail ends here at a junction with the famous
Floyd | Appalachian Trail. Commonly referred to simply as the "AT," the trail
Floyd | covers nearly the entire length of the Appalachian Mountains, from
Floyd | Maine to Georgia - a distance of over two thousand miles. You wish
Floyd | that you'd taken a summer off during college to hike the length of it,
Floyd | but there's no point in regretting that now. There's always retirement

Floyd | to look forward to, right? You sigh wistfully at the thought and plop
Floyd | down onto the ground among the roots of a large tulip poplar growing
Floyd | in the center of the junction.
Floyd |
Floyd | The AT runs east-west here. According to the sign, it's only another
Floyd | three miles to the tower.

Floyd |
Floyd | In the distance, you hear a woodpecker's familiar drilling.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | There are two signs on the post. The uppermost sign faces south, and
Floyd | is oriented so that you know it pertains to the trail that runs
Floyd | east-west; it reads:
Floyd |
Floyd | APPALACHIAN TRAIL
Floyd | Davenport Gap 2.8 ->

Floyd | <- Mt Cammerer Fire Tower 2.9
Floyd | <- Low Gap 4.4
Floyd |
Floyd | The other sign faces west and reads:
Floyd |

Floyd | LOWER MT CAMMERER TRAIL
Floyd | <- Cosby Campground 7.5
Floyd |
Floyd | Seven and a half miles back to the campground and parking area...
Floyd | you've already come quite a way!
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You'll have to get off the ground first.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You get back up and brush off your clothes. Break's over.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You look uphill at the rather intimidating stretch of steep trail,
Floyd | tighten your pack about your waist, and let out a long, slow breath.
Floyd | You've done this stretch many, many times, but no matter how in shape
Floyd | you get it always tends to kick your ass. Oh well, half begun is half

Floyd | done (or some stupid clich?).
Floyd |
Floyd | The trail is a steep mess of tree roots and rock, and for the next two
Floyd | and a half miles you feel as if you're working out on a gigantic
Floyd | natural stairmaster, dragging your heavy feet up one step at a time.
Floyd | You plow along like that with your head down for over an hour, your

Floyd | gaze rarely if ever straying from your boots to prevent tripping.
Floyd | Mercifully, you reach the next trail junction.
Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Mt. Cammerer Trails)
Floyd | The trail is wide here, with lots of bare ground from so many hikers
Floyd | having rested in this location before you. There's little to see here,

Floyd | really, save for the trail sign that benevolently announces that
Floyd | you're very close to your goal.
Floyd |
Floyd | A previously-camouflaged spadefoot toad hops off trail and disappears
Floyd | again amongst the leaves.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You've seen a few amphibians here and there, but you don't see any
Floyd | just now.
Floyd |

Floyd | You hear a sound in the underbrush off to your left, but see nothing.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You set off toward the fire tower. The trail runs along the top of a

Floyd | rocky ridge, but it's well-used and, for the most part, easily walked.
Floyd | The last few feet are a bit of a scramble, but you effortlessly manage
Floyd | the boulders and find yourself standing triumphantly on the porch of
Floyd | the fire tower.
Floyd |
Floyd | Mt. Cammerer, Outside the Fire Tower

Floyd | The Mt. Cammerer fire tower sits atop a jagged, rocky peak with a
Floyd | commanding view of the surrounding mountains. It's a fantastic
Floyd | location for such a structure, really, because you can see for miles
Floyd | in every direction and it would be easy to spot a plume of smoke,
Floyd | particularly if you used binoculars.
Floyd |

Floyd | You lean against the railing and take in the landscape. Gorgeous, and
Floyd | so worth the effort.
Floyd |
Floyd | A hawk cries in the sky above you, momentarily drawing your attention.
Floyd |
Floyd | The wind picks up for a moment, cooling your skin in the growing heat

Floyd | of the day.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You open the door to the fire tower and walk inside, closing it behind

Floyd | you.
Floyd |
Floyd | Within the Fire Tower
Floyd | The interior of the fire tower is simple and unadorned. A plain wooden
Floyd | floor stretches from wall to wall, and windows stretch from about
Floyd | waist high to just short of the ceiling. Despite the sun, the warmth

Floyd | of the day, and the large windows that allow a 360-degree view of the
Floyd | surrounding landscape, the air is surprisingly cool inside the tower,
Floyd | no doubt due to the stone foundation you saw outside. You're thankful
Floyd | for the break from the heat.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You walk to the edge of the room, lean gently against the window, and
Floyd | take in the view. It's a wonderfully clear day, and it feels as if
Floyd | you're able to see the entire world from here - mountain after
Floyd | mountain, sprawling to the horizon. You can see Webb Mountain to the

Floyd | north, where your house is nestled somewhere in the trees. Beyond is
Floyd | Bays Mountain and, further still and slightly west, Clinch Mountain.
Floyd |
Floyd | You turn and walk across the room a bit, and look to the east.
Floyd | Snowbird Mountain lies just the other side of the Pigeon River gorge.
Floyd | Beyond that, the Unakas and, further still, the Blue Ridge.

Floyd |
Floyd | Turning south, you see the Mt. Sterling Lookout on a distant ridge,
Floyd | barely visible without binoculars.
Floyd |
Floyd | Finally, you step to the western portion of the room and look out onto
Floyd | peaks of whose names you are not certain. The names aren't important,

Floyd | really, merely random designations of natural landmarks. First the
Floyd | Cherokee gave them names, then the Europeans, and perhaps someday
Floyd | someone else will call them something new. But the mountains will
Floyd | endure regardless. Or so you hope.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The mountain is a sea of trees, dark green waves rolling over a
Floyd | weathered landscape. These mountains are considered by some to be less
Floyd | majestic than the Rockies or other, younger, unweathered mountain
Floyd | chains, but you think of them as wise and old, containing secrets.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't see any such thing.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | The mountain is a sea of trees, dark green waves rolling over a
Floyd | weathered landscape. These mountains are considered by some to be less
Floyd | majestic than the Rockies or other, younger, unweathered mountain

Floyd | chains, but you think of them as wise and old, containing secrets.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The mountain is a sea of trees, dark green waves rolling over a

Floyd | weathered landscape. These mountains are considered by some to be less
Floyd | majestic than the Rockies or other, younger, unweathered mountain
Floyd | chains, but you think of them as wise and old, containing secrets.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | Within the Fire Tower
Floyd | The interior of the fire tower is simple and unadorned. A plain wooden

Floyd | floor stretches from wall to wall, and windows stretch from about
Floyd | waist high to just short of the ceiling. Despite the sun, the warmth
Floyd | of the day, and the large windows that allow a 360-degree view of the
Floyd | surrounding landscape, the air is surprisingly cool inside the tower,
Floyd | no doubt due to the stone foundation you saw outside. You're thankful
Floyd | for the break from the heat.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't see any such thing.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You are carrying:
Floyd |   some socks (being worn)

Floyd |   some hiking shorts (being worn)
Floyd |   a shirt (being worn)
Floyd |   some hiking boots (being worn)
Floyd |   a hip pack (being worn and closed)
Floyd |   a watch (being worn)
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You wiggle around a bit, and manage to pull the zipper open. It's so
Floyd | much easier to do that when you're not actually wearing the thing.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | In the hip pack are a headlamp, a first aid kit, a water bottle and a
Floyd | massive bag of trail mix.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | (first taking the massive bag of trail mix)
Floyd | It's sort of difficult to get stuff out of your pack when you're still
Floyd | wearing it, but somehow you manage to get your hands on the trail mix.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You snack on a few bites of the trail mix.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | It's a massive bag of trail mix, full of all sorts of goodies. Not the
Floyd | sort of food one would want to rely on for sustenance all the time,
Floyd | but it'll provide plenty of energy for today's hike.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | The bag emits an aroma of yummy nutty goodness. Mmmm.
Floyd |
Floyd | For the first time, you realize that the sun is now directly overhead.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You seal the bag of trail mix and tuck it neatly away in your pack.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You wiggle around a bit, and manage to pull the zipper closed. It's so

Floyd | much easier to do that when you're not actually wearing the thing.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | What do you want to stretch?

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Your calves feel a bit tight, so you walk over to a nearby tree and
Floyd | place your palms against the bark, enjoying the rough texture beneath

Floyd | your hands. You bend your left leg in a lunge and step back with your
Floyd | right foot, leg straight. Closing your eyes, you take a pleasantly
Floyd | deep breath and wait for some of the tension to subside in your calf,
Floyd | which it does.
Floyd |
Floyd | After stretching both legs a couple of times, you decide it's probably

Floyd | time to move on down the trail.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Your Thorlos are designed specifically for hiking, with extra padding
Floyd | beneath the heel and ball of your foot for comfort. This particular

Floyd | pair of Thorlos are white; just the very tops of them are visible.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The exterior off the boots smell like leather. You'd rather not smell
Floyd | in the inside of the boots.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't see any such thing.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You're wearing a dark brown long-sleeved t-shirt, the color of
Floyd | chocolate. It's cotton, which isn't always a wise thing to wear when
Floyd | hiking - fantastic when it's hot, but is miserable in the rain -
Floyd | however there's a brilliant blue sky and a favorable forecast, so

Floyd | you're risking it.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You glance at the sun climbing in the sky, then lift your arm and take

Floyd | a sniff of your arm pit. Not too bad... yet.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You open the door to the fire tower and walk out onto the porch,
Floyd | closing it behind you.
Floyd |
Floyd | Mt. Cammerer, Outside the Fire Tower
Floyd | The fire tower has a commanding view of the surrounding mountains. You
Floyd | can enter the tower or simply return back the way you came. The trail

Floyd | departs to the southwest.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Having enjoyed a pleasant break in the company of an amazing view, you

Floyd | decide to start back toward home.
Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Mt. Cammerer Trails)
Floyd | The AT runs from northeast to southwest here, continuing on toward Low
Floyd | Gap. A trail sign announces that the Mt. Cammerer fire tower is
Floyd | located just over half a mile to the north.

Floyd |
Floyd | A tiny chipmunk climbs to the top of a nearby rock, chatters in your
Floyd | general direction, then bounces away.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You're not quite sure how to stretch those bits. Maybe you should look
Floyd | into yoga.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't see any such thing.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Your calves feel a bit tight, so you walk over to a nearby tree and
Floyd | place your palms against the bark, enjoying the rough texture beneath
Floyd | your hands. You bend your left leg in a lunge and step back with your
Floyd | right foot, leg straight. Closing your eyes, you take a pleasantly

Floyd | deep breath and wait for some of the tension to subside in your calf,
Floyd | which it does.
Floyd |
Floyd | After stretching both legs a couple of times, you decide it's probably
Floyd | time to move on down the trail.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Mt. Cammerer Trails)
Floyd | The AT runs from northeast to southwest here, continuing on toward Low
Floyd | Gap. A trail sign announces that the Mt. Cammerer fire tower is

Floyd | located just over half a mile to the north.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | There appear to be only woods in that direction, with no path among

Floyd | the trees. The AT continues to the southwest, or you can visit the
Floyd | fire tower by heading north.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You recommence climbing the Appalachian Trail. Just as with the
Floyd | previous stretch, it's littered with roots and rocks and excessive
Floyd | steepness, and makes you not such a happy hiker. "Oh well," you think
Floyd | to yourself, "it's making me stronger. Stronger. Yes. Stronger."  You
Floyd | continue this rather ineffective little pep talk for about a half a
Floyd | mile, at which point the trail graciously levels out along the crest

Floyd | of a ridge.
Floyd |
Floyd | You find an easy, confident pace, and begin to notice how effortlessly
Floyd | your legs move on this type of terrain. The lack of obstructions in
Floyd | the trail allows you to take in the view as you hike, and incredible
Floyd | mountain vistas are present on both sides of the trail for a short

Floyd | while - successive waves of blue, smoky ridges trailing off into the
Floyd | distance.
Floyd |
Floyd | After a bit, the trail begins to descend off the ridge and into the
Floyd | trees... gradually at first, then steeper, and your pace finds a
Floyd | decrescendo as you carefully navigate the slope. Many people prefer a

Floyd | strenuous uphill to this, because descending can be fairly hard on
Floyd | your knees and ankles, but after the beating your lungs and legs took
Floyd | on the AT earlier, you are inclined to respectfully disagree.
Floyd |
Floyd | After a total walk of just over two miles, you encounter another trail
Floyd | junction.

Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Low Gap trails)
Floyd | Two trails cross here, in the center of what's called Low Gap, so
Floyd | named because it's the lowest pass through the mountains for over
Floyd | fifty miles if you were traveling along the Appalachian Trail headed
Floyd | north. The AT runs from northeast to southwest here, climbing toward

Floyd | Cosby Knob and beyond - all the way to Georgia. The Low Gap trail
Floyd | crosses perpendicular to the AT, descending in both directions:
Floyd | southeast, toward Walnut Bottoms and Big Creek, or northwest, toward
Floyd | the Cosby Campground and, for you, home.
Floyd |
Floyd | A sign at one side of the junction points the way and provides the

Floyd | mileage to nearby landmarks.
Floyd |
Floyd | Your socks have shifted uncomfortably in your boots, so you take a
Floyd | seat in the clearing to readjust them. Once you're finished, you
Floyd | decide the ground feels good enough to simply rest there for a bit.
Floyd |

Floyd | A cool breeze builds momentarily from the east, cooling your skin.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You take your boots off and remove your socks. It feels great to get

Floyd | some air on your feet, but after a bit of a rest you decide it's best
Floyd | to get going again. You put your socks and boots back on, tie the
Floyd | laces securely.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | There are two signs on the post. The uppermost sign faces southeast,
Floyd | and is oriented so that you know it pertains to the trail that runs
Floyd | northeast-southwest; it reads:
Floyd |

Floyd | APPALACHIAN TRAIL
Floyd | Mt Cammerer 2.1 ->
Floyd | Lwr Mt Cammerer Trail 4.4 ->
Floyd | <- Cosby Knob Shelter 0.8
Floyd |

Floyd | The other sign faces southwest and reads:
Floyd |
Floyd | LOW GAP TRAIL
Floyd | Walnut Bottoms 2.5 ->
Floyd | <- Cosby Campground 2.9

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't see any such thing.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | Wonderfully durable boots, size seven narrow. Their heavy leather
Floyd | exterior protects your feet from rocks and roots, they're tall for
Floyd | proper ankle support over rough terrain, the soles tend to keep you

Floyd | from slipping even on slick rocks, and they're lined with Gore-Tex to
Floyd | keep you dry. Your only complaint is that the company claims that the
Floyd | boots 'breathe,' when in fact they seem to keep your feet hot in the
Floyd | summer, freezing cold in the winter. So far, though, they're the best
Floyd | boots you've ever owned.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You are carrying:
Floyd |   some socks (being worn)
Floyd |   some hiking shorts (being worn)

Floyd |   a shirt (being worn)
Floyd |   some hiking boots (being worn)
Floyd |   a hip pack (being worn and closed)
Floyd |   a watch (being worn)
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You glance down at your watch, a rather chunky and unstylish
Floyd | accoutrement purchased for fifteen dollars at the drugstore. Fashion
Floyd | critiques aside, it's a functional, water-resistant, glow in the dark
Floyd | timepiece.

Floyd |
Floyd | At present, it indicates that the time is 1:59 PM.
Floyd |
Floyd | The sun seems to glare down upon you, hot and unrelenting. When will
Floyd | it start to sink in the sky? Mid-afternoon is always the harshest time
Floyd | of day to be hiking on a clear day.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's not a verb I recognize.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Appalachian and Low Gap trails) (on the ground)
Floyd | You stand in the center of Low Gap, where two trails intersect. For

Floyd | the Appalachian Trail, this is a low spot, and the trail climbs both
Floyd | to the southwest, toward Cosby Knob, and northeast, back toward the
Floyd | fire tower. Conversely, this is high spot on the Low Gap trail, which
Floyd | descends into Walnut Bottoms to the southeast and, to the northwest,
Floyd | toward home.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You'll have to get off the ground first.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You get back up and brush off your clothes. Break's over.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | If that actually could work, you'd certainly miss out on some
Floyd | beautiful scenery.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | According to the sign, the AT climbs toward Cosby Knob in that
Floyd | direction. Not only is that out of your way, but it's also uphill, and
Floyd | you're just not down with anymore uphill today.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | The Low Gap trail drops down into Walnut Bottoms in that direction.
Floyd | It's a lovely area, but completely out of your way. Home is in the
Floyd | opposite direction, to the northwest.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | With a lightness in your heart at the realization that you're on the

Floyd | downhill stretch, you set off toward the campground. At first, the
Floyd | going is rather steep, but the trail soon begins to switchback upon
Floyd | itself, snaking slowly downhill toward flatter ground. Though the
Floyd | tight switchbacks reduce the angle of descent, they also make the
Floyd | trail longer and limit the space for trees. There seems to be little
Floyd | or no shade, and the sun beats down relentlessly upon you as you

Floyd | descend the west-facing ridge. It's tempting to simply cut off-trail
Floyd | and travel crosscountry to save time, but you realize that if everyone
Floyd | did that the erosion along this ridge would be terrible.
Floyd |
Floyd | After about two miles, the switchbacks disappear and you find yourself
Floyd | comforted by the shade of the woods once again. The air is cool here,

Floyd | chilled further by the presence of Cosby Creek, which flows parallel
Floyd | to the path for a quarter mile or so. Larger than the other streams
Floyd | you've encountered today, Cosby Creek is full of white-foamed cascades
Floyd | and deep, dark pools. The water of the stream feeds life into the
Floyd | forest, and everything along this stretch is green and moist and
Floyd | mossy. From time to time the landscape seems rather surreal, as if

Floyd | you're strolling through a fairytale rather than a real place. After a
Floyd | time, the stream flows off into the forest, out of sight, and you're
Floyd | somewhat sad to see it go. No matter, this means you're even closer to
Floyd | home.
Floyd |
Floyd | The trail begins to widen, from a path to a road, and you come to

Floyd | another junction.
Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Low Gap & Access trails)
Floyd | You smile as you enter the junction and see the sign in the northeast
Floyd | corner of the clearing:
Floyd |

Floyd | LOW GAP TRAIL
Floyd | <- Cosby Campground 0.4
Floyd | Low Gap 2.5 ->
Floyd |
Floyd | Less than half a mile to the campground! Of course, the parking area's

Floyd | another half mile beyond that, but that's of little consequence...
Floyd | you're very close to home now.
Floyd |
Floyd | Somewhere in the distance, a woodpecker drills in search of insects.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | No, there's only forest in that direction, with no path amongst the
Floyd | trees. You can return to the parking lot by going either north or
Floyd | west.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You decide to take the access trail back, seeing as how it's a
Floyd | slightly shorter walk in that direction. This portion of the access

Floyd | trail isn't very heavily used and is slightly overgrown; grass brushes
Floyd | against your legs as you walk. After not quite half a mile, you find
Floyd | yourself back in the same clearing you passed through earlier today.
Floyd |
Floyd | Trail Junction (Lower Mt. Cammerer & Access trails)
Floyd | You're standing at the junction of two trails, one running

Floyd | northwest-southeast, the other running northeast-southwest. At the
Floyd | north corner of the junction, two signs are nailed to a single post
Floyd | indicating where each trail leads.
Floyd |
Floyd | A previously unseen skink on a nearby log is startled by your presence
Floyd | and skitters under the bark.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | To the south lie dense woods, with no path among the trees. Two trails
Floyd | bisect the standard cardinal directions here, one running

Floyd | northeast-southwest, the other northwest-southeast. Your quickest
Floyd | route, back to the parking lot, is northwest.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | No, you've already been down that trail today. It's time to go home.
Floyd | The hiker parking area is just under a half mile to the northwest.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's the longer route back. Not that it matters, really - your feet
Floyd | are up for an extra quarter of a mile. You head down the wide trail
Floyd | (it's more of a road than a trail, really), and quickly find
Floyd | yourselfback in the campground.
Floyd |
Floyd | Lower Mt. Cammerer Trailhead

Floyd | A standard NPS trail sign indicates that the Lower Mt. Cammerer trail
Floyd | begins here, leaving the pavement and entering the woods to the
Floyd | northeast.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | To the north lie dense woods, with no path among the trees. The trail
Floyd | leads into the forest to the northeast.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The campground lies in that direction, while your trail leads into the
Floyd | woods to the northeast.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | No, you've already been down that trail today. It's time to go home.
Floyd | The hiker parking area is just under a half mile to the northwest.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You continue walking northwest, through the campground. Parents at a
Floyd | nearby site are setting up their tents for the evening, one for them,
Floyd | and a smaller one for their children. A young boy and girl are
Floyd | laughing and throwing a frisbee (and not throwing it very well)

Floyd | nearby. Suddenly, the frisbee comes flying right toward you!
Floyd | Fortunately, you see it coming and deftly toss it to the little girl,
Floyd | who thanks you and runs back to play with her brother. Another quarter
Floyd | mile finds you back in the parking lot.
Floyd |
Floyd | Hiker Parking

Floyd | You stroll into the parking lot, light on your feet despite the
Floyd | sixteen miles behind you, and glance at your watch. It reads three
Floyd | twenty-nine in the afternoon. Not bad time, really, considering all
Floyd | the stops along the way to check things out. You take off your pack
Floyd | and plop down on a grassy hill at the western edge of the parking lot.
Floyd | Lying back, angled with your head uphill of your feet, you watch the

Floyd | clouds that are gathering overhead. One of them reminds you of a galax
Floyd | leaf. You smile to yourself, thinking of the wonderful day you've had,
Floyd | close your eyes, listen to the birds the nearby woods, and eventually
Floyd | drift off to sleep in the grass. What a fantastic day.
Floyd |
Floyd | As darkness falls, the serenity is broken by the sound of an

Floyd | approaching car, and you open your eyes to see your ride pulling into
Floyd | the parking lot, right on time.
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |     *** I hope you enjoyed your hike. ***
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd | Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game or QUIT?
Floyd | >

Floyd |

Floyd | Welcome to the Cheap Glk Implementation, library version 0.9.0.
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd | You were once a little boy. Your eyes once were green, and your words
Floyd | were like wildflowers.
Floyd |
Floyd | Once: a fable for the lost
Floyd | DEMO version for the TextFire 12-PACK

Floyd | (First-time readers should type 'about')
Floyd | Copyright (c) 1998 by TextFire, Inc. All rights reserved.
Floyd | Release 1 / Serial number 980324 / Inform v6.14 Library 6/7
Floyd |
Floyd | In the Garden
Floyd |

Floyd | You stand in the middle of Grandmother's garden. You still have many
Floyd | weeds left to find. The woods are so far away.
Floyd |
Floyd | Grandmother always insists on an immaculate garden. "The daises will
Floyd | not allow anyone to crowd their soil. They forgot how to live with the
Floyd | unknowable."

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | They try to hide themselves, but it's all futile.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You reach down and snap off a dull green weed, but you can't find its
Floyd | roots. You let it go.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You aren't allowed anything.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You know yourself by looking through your eyes.
Floyd |
Floyd | A girl appears at the edge of the woods. "Hello," she calls.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | Her hair is strewn with leaves and flowers. Her eyes remind you of
Floyd | your mother's.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | To speak to her, type 'speak to her.'
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd |  "Hello."
Floyd |  "What are you doing here?"
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd |  "Hello."
Floyd |  "What are you doing here?"
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd |  "Hello."
Floyd |  "What are you doing here?"
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd |  "Hello."
Floyd |  "What are you doing here?"
Floyd |

Floyd | "Hello," you say.
Floyd |
Floyd | "My name is Madeleine," she says. "I need you to come with me."
Floyd |  "Go where?"
Floyd |  "But I have to tend the garden."

Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd |  "Go where?"

Floyd |  "But I have to tend the garden."
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd | "Go where?" you ask.
Floyd |
Floyd | "See that hill?" And for the first time ever, you see the hill, green
Floyd | and so far away. "Will you come with me?" she asks.

Floyd |  "No."
Floyd |  "Yes."
Floyd |

Floyd |

Floyd |  "No."
Floyd |  "Yes."
Floyd |

Floyd |

Floyd |  "No."
Floyd |  "Yes."
Floyd |

Floyd |

Floyd |  "No."
Floyd |  "Yes."
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd | "No," you say.

Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |     *** everything is fine among the daisies ***
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |

Floyd | Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game or QUIT?
Floyd | >

Floyd | Please give one of the answers above.
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | Thank you for playing the demo version of Once, a TextFire release.
Floyd | On-line registration for TextFire products will be available at
Floyd | http://www.textfire.com on or before June 30, 1998. Thanks for your
Floyd | patience!

Floyd |

Floyd | (Press any key to exit.)

Floyd | Welcome to the Cheap Glk Implementation, library version 0.9.0.
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |
Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd | Check for color and font availability FAILED.
Floyd |
Floyd | Check for timed input FAILED.
Floyd |
Floyd |

Floyd | GlkTADS - A text-only TADS 2.5.3 Interpreter.
Floyd | TADS copyright (c) 1993, 2000 by Michael J. Roberts.
Floyd | Maintained by Stephen Granade <sgranade@phy.duke.edu>

Floyd |
Floyd | At Wit's End (V1.00 9/30/2000) -- Interactive Fiction by MjS (c) 2000.
Floyd | Developed with TADS, the Text Adventure Development System.
Floyd |
Floyd | Type HELP at any point for game assistance; VERBOSE mode on.
Floyd |

Floyd | You've dreamed about this day for almost 25 years.  If only your
Floyd | father were alive; he's the one that got you hooked on baseball.  He
Floyd | would be so proud.  Here you are, Fenway Park, game seven.  It's the
Floyd | American League Championship Series against the rival New York
Floyd | Yankees.  The bases are loaded, there are two outs, it's the bottom of
Floyd | the ninth inning and the count has just run to three balls and two

Floyd | strikes.  The Yankees are leading 4-2 and only one strike away from
Floyd | going to the World Series - again.
Floyd |
Floyd | That is, unless Jake Garrett has anything to do with it.
Floyd |
Floyd | Fenway Park, At Bat

Floyd |    The crowd is deafening and everybody is up on their feet.  You've
Floyd | been playing pro ball for six years and you're usually able to tune
Floyd | out the crowd, the hysteria and the sheer madness.  But not this time.
Floyd | You're finding it hard to concentrate.  You are standing in the
Floyd | batter's box, awaiting the biggest pitch of your career.
Floyd |

Floyd | The pitcher rubs up the ball and approaches the mound.
Floyd |
Floyd | The catcher crouches behind the plate.
Floyd |
Floyd | The third base coach looks into the dugout.
Floyd |

Floyd | The runners are doing some last-minute stretching, anticipating the
Floyd | next pitch.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher brings his glove up to his chest and peers in.  He's

Floyd | looking to the catcher for the sign.  The roar of the crowd is
Floyd | deafening.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "tap".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | It's your favorite Louisville Slugger.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher gets the sign from the catcher and glances at the runner
Floyd | leading off third base.  He then looks to the plate, back to the
Floyd | runner and again to the plate.  You're getting anxious.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | The pitcher has it.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher starts his wind-up.  The crowd is roaring.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The pitcher has it.
Floyd |

Floyd | The noise level has reached an all time high.  The pitcher completes
Floyd | his wind-up and delivers the pitch.  You watch the baseball leave his
Floyd | hand.  Hero time.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You focus on the ball approaching the plate.  Not knowing the pitch or
Floyd | location, you just pray for the best and swing as hard as you can.
Floyd | You're surprised that a curve ball is thrown inside and you manage to
Floyd | foul off the ball.  The ball goes out of play behind the dugout.

Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher gets another ball and approaches the mound.
Floyd |
Floyd | Looks like you'll have one more chance to be a hero.
Floyd | The roar of the crowd is deafening.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher brings his glove up to his chest and peers in.  He's
Floyd | looking to the catcher for the sign.  The fans are screaming at the
Floyd | top of their lungs.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You peek in at the catcher and see him extend two fingers under his
Floyd | glove.  A curve ball is on the way.  Now if you just knew where it
Floyd | will be thrown.
Floyd |

Floyd | The pitcher gets the sign from the catcher and glances at the runner
Floyd | leading off third base.  He then looks to the plate, back to the
Floyd | runner and again to the plate.  You're getting anxious.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Time passes...
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher starts his wind-up.  The wave has started to roll around

Floyd | the park.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You take a practice swing, anticipating the pitch.

Floyd |
Floyd | The noise level has reached an all time high.  The pitcher completes
Floyd | his wind-up and delivers the pitch.  You watch the baseball leave his
Floyd | hand.  Hero time.  The wave has started to roll around the park.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You focus on the ball approaching the plate.  You expect a curve ball,
Floyd | but are not sure of the pitch location.  You time the swing but are
Floyd | surprised that the pitch is thrown inside; you manage to foul it off.
Floyd | The ball squirts up the first base line.

Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher gets another ball and approaches the mound.
Floyd | The roar of the crowd is deafening.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The catcher is sitting in his crouched position.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher brings his glove up to his chest and peers in.  He's

Floyd | looking to the catcher for the sign.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You peek in at the catcher and see him extend his fist under his
Floyd | glove.  A change-up is on the way.  Now if you just knew where it will
Floyd | be thrown.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher gets the sign from the catcher and glances at the runner
Floyd | leading off third base.  He then looks to the plate, back to the

Floyd | runner and again to the plate.  You're getting anxious.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The runners break away from their bases.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher starts his wind-up.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | The noise level has reached an all time high.  The pitcher completes
Floyd | his wind-up and delivers the pitch.  You watch the baseball leave his
Floyd | hand.  Hero time.  The roar of the crowd is deafening.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You focus on the ball approaching the plate.  You expect a change-up,

Floyd | but are not sure of the pitch location.  You time the swing but are
Floyd | surprised that the pitch is thrown right down the middle of the plate;
Floyd | you manage to foul it off.  A lucky fan snags the ball in the
Floyd | grandstands.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher gets another ball and approaches the mound.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The pitcher has it.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher brings his glove up to his chest and peers in.  He's
Floyd | looking to the catcher for the sign.  The wave has started to roll
Floyd | around the park.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You peek in at the catcher and see him extend his fist under his
Floyd | glove.  A change-up is on the way.  Now if you just knew where it will
Floyd | be thrown.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher gets the sign from the catcher and glances at the runner
Floyd | leading off third base.  He then looks to the plate, back to the

Floyd | runner and again to the plate.  You're getting anxious.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The pitcher has it.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher starts his wind-up.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The pitcher has it.
Floyd |
Floyd | The noise level has reached an all time high.  The pitcher completes
Floyd | his wind-up and delivers the pitch.  You watch the baseball leave his

Floyd | hand.  Hero time.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The ball approaches the plate rather quickly.
Floyd |
Floyd | You watch a change-up catch the outside of the plate and you go down
Floyd | without a fight.  Strike three, you're out.

Floyd |
Floyd | You slowly walk back to the dugout, bat in hand.  Reality didn't play
Floyd | out like your dream.  Your teammates try to console you, but you're
Floyd | numb.  You take a quick shower, meet up with your wife and kids and
Floyd | head home.  There's always next year.
Floyd |

Floyd | *** You have failed to be a hero ***
Floyd |
Floyd | You may restore a saved game, start over, quit, or undo the current
Floyd | command.
Floyd | Please enter RESTORE, RESTART, QUIT, or UNDO:  >

Floyd | Please enter RESTORE, RESTART, QUIT, or UNDO:  >
Floyd | Please enter RESTORE, RESTART, QUIT, or UNDO:  >

Floyd | (Undoing one command)
Floyd |
Floyd | Fenway Park, At Bat
Floyd |    You are standing in the batter's box, awaiting the biggest pitch of

Floyd | your career.  The crowd is standing, screaming at the top of their
Floyd | lungs.  You can barely hear yourself think.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You focus on the ball approaching the plate.  You expect a change-up,
Floyd | but are not sure of the pitch location.  You time the swing but are
Floyd | surprised that the pitch is thrown right down the middle of the plate;
Floyd | you manage to foul it off.  The ball goes out of play behind the

Floyd | dugout.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher gets another ball and approaches the mound.
Floyd | The crowd starts chanting your name.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That's your goal right now.
Floyd |
Floyd | [Use the FULL SCORE command to display a detailed list of the emotions
Floyd | you've experienced so far.]

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't understand that sentence.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You were:
Floyd |    Excited by the opportunity to hit the game-winning home run;
Floyd |    Anxious after barely fouling off a pitch.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "wind".
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | The catcher is sitting in his crouched position.
Floyd |

Floyd | The pitcher brings his glove up to his chest and peers in.  He's
Floyd | looking to the catcher for the sign.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You peek in at the catcher and see him extend two fingers under his
Floyd | glove.  A curve ball is on the way.  Now if you just knew where it
Floyd | will be thrown.
Floyd |

Floyd | The pitcher gets the sign from the catcher and glances at the runner
Floyd | leading off third base.  He then looks to the plate, back to the
Floyd | runner and again to the plate.  You're getting anxious.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher starts his wind-up.  The fans are screaming at the top of
Floyd | their lungs.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "arm".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | There's no verb in that sentence!
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The pitcher has it.
Floyd |
Floyd | The noise level has reached an all time high.  The pitcher completes
Floyd | his wind-up and delivers the pitch.  You watch the baseball leave his

Floyd | hand.  Hero time.  The fans are screaming at the top of their lungs.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |

Floyd |
Floyd | You watch a curve ball thrown right down the middle of the plate and
Floyd | you go down without a fight.  Strike three, you're out.
Floyd |
Floyd | You slowly walk back to the dugout, bat in hand.  Reality didn't play
Floyd | out like your dream.  Your teammates try to console you, but you're

Floyd | numb.  You take a quick shower, meet up with your wife and kids and
Floyd | head home.  There's always next year.
Floyd |
Floyd | *** You have failed to be a hero ***
Floyd |
Floyd | You may restore a saved game, start over, quit, or undo the current

Floyd | command.
Floyd | Please enter RESTORE, RESTART, QUIT, or UNDO:  >

Floyd | (Undoing one command)
Floyd |

Floyd | Fenway Park, At Bat
Floyd |    You are standing in the batter's box, awaiting the biggest pitch of
Floyd | your career.  The crowd is standing, screaming at the top of their
Floyd | lungs.  You can barely hear yourself think.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You focus on the ball approaching the plate.  You expect a curve ball,
Floyd | but are not sure of the pitch location.  You time the swing but are
Floyd | surprised that the pitch is thrown outside; you manage to foul it off.
Floyd | A lucky fan snags the ball in the grandstands.

Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher gets another ball and approaches the mound.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher brings his glove up to his chest and peers in.  He's
Floyd | looking to the catcher for the sign.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You peek in at the catcher and see him extend three fingers under his
Floyd | glove.  A slider is on the way.  Now if you just knew where it will be
Floyd | thrown.
Floyd |

Floyd | The pitcher gets the sign from the catcher and glances at the runner
Floyd | leading off third base.  He then looks to the plate, back to the
Floyd | runner and again to the plate.  You're getting anxious.  The crowd is
Floyd | roaring.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "finger".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The runners break away from their bases.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher starts his wind-up.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That isn't important.
Floyd |

Floyd | The noise level has reached an all time high.  The pitcher completes
Floyd | his wind-up and delivers the pitch.  You watch the baseball leave his
Floyd | hand.  Hero time.  The crowd is up on their feet and clapping wildly.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You focus on the ball approaching the plate.  You expect a slider, but
Floyd | are not sure of the pitch location.  You time the swing but are
Floyd | surprised that the pitch is thrown inside; you manage to foul it off.
Floyd | A lucky fan snags the ball in the grandstands.

Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher gets another ball and approaches the mound.
Floyd | The crowd is up on their feet and clapping wildly.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | (your bat)
Floyd | You take a practice swing, anticipating the pitch.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher brings his glove up to his chest and peers in.  He's

Floyd | looking to the catcher for the sign.  The crowd starts chanting your
Floyd | name.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You have your bat.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher gets the sign from the catcher and glances at the runner
Floyd | leading off third base.  He then looks to the plate, back to the
Floyd | runner and again to the plate.  You're getting anxious.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "signal".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't see any sign here.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | (Undoing one command)
Floyd |
Floyd | Fenway Park, At Bat
Floyd |    You are standing in the batter's box, awaiting the biggest pitch of

Floyd | your career.  The crowd is standing, screaming at the top of their
Floyd | lungs.  You can barely hear yourself think.  You glance down at the
Floyd | catcher and see him stay behind the middle of the plate.  You are more
Floyd | relaxed knowing the location of the pitch.  The coach stares in at the
Floyd | pitcher, anticipating the wind-up.  The runners break away from their
Floyd | bases.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't see any sign here.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | (Undoing one command)
Floyd |
Floyd | Fenway Park, At Bat

Floyd |    You are standing in the batter's box, awaiting the biggest pitch of
Floyd | your career.  The crowd is standing, screaming at the top of their
Floyd | lungs.  You can barely hear yourself think.  You glance down at the
Floyd | catcher and see him shift his weight to the inner edge of the strike
Floyd | zone.  You are more relaxed knowing the location of the pitch.  The
Floyd | coach stares in at the pitcher, anticipating the wind-up.  The runners

Floyd | break away from their bases.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | (Undoing one command)

Floyd |
Floyd | Fenway Park, At Bat
Floyd |    You are standing in the batter's box, awaiting the biggest pitch of
Floyd | your career.  The crowd is standing, screaming at the top of their
Floyd | lungs.  You can barely hear yourself think.  You glance down at the
Floyd | catcher and see him shift his weight to the outer edge of the strike

Floyd | zone.  You are more relaxed knowing the location of the pitch.  The
Floyd | coach stares in at the pitcher, anticipating the wind-up.  The runners
Floyd | break away from their bases.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't see any sign here.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Time passes...
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher starts his wind-up.  The wave has started to roll around
Floyd | the park.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | The pitcher hasn't thrown the ball yet.
Floyd |
Floyd | The noise level has reached an all time high.  The pitcher completes

Floyd | his wind-up and delivers the pitch.  You watch the baseball leave his
Floyd | hand.  Hero time.  The wave has started to roll around the park.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You watch the ball leave the pitcher's hand and then square the bat,
Floyd | preparing to bunt the ball.  The bat and ball meet and the bunt is hit
Floyd | directly to the pitcher.  Everybody in the stadium is shocked;
Floyd | including the pitcher.  He picks up the ball and lazily throws it to
Floyd | the first baseman.  You're out.  Game over.
Floyd |

Floyd | You slowly walk back to the dugout, bat in hand.  Reality didn't play
Floyd | out like your dream.  Your teammates are still in shock over your bunt
Floyd | attempt, and for the most part, avoid you entirely.  You take a quick
Floyd | shower, meet up with your wife and kids and head home.  There's always
Floyd | next year; that's if you're still part of the team.
Floyd |

Floyd | *** You have failed to be a hero ***
Floyd |
Floyd | You may restore a saved game, start over, quit, or undo the current
Floyd | command.
Floyd | Please enter RESTORE, RESTART, QUIT, or UNDO:  >

Floyd | (Undoing one command)
Floyd |
Floyd | Fenway Park, At Bat
Floyd |    You are standing in the batter's box, awaiting the biggest pitch of

Floyd | your career.  The crowd is standing, screaming at the top of their
Floyd | lungs.  You can barely hear yourself think.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | (your bat)
Floyd | You focus on the ball approaching the plate.  Not knowing what pitch
Floyd | to expect, but anticipating that it will be an outside pitch, you
Floyd | shift your weight accordingly.  You are surprised to see a slider, but

Floyd | manage to foul it off.  A lucky fan snags the ball in the grandstands.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher gets another ball and approaches the mound.
Floyd | The crowd is roaring.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "location".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The pitcher has it.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher brings his glove up to his chest and peers in.  He's

Floyd | looking to the catcher for the sign.  The wave has started to roll
Floyd | around the park.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You peek in at the catcher and see him extend two fingers under his
Floyd | glove.  A curve ball is on the way.  Now if you just knew where it
Floyd | will be thrown.
Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher gets the sign from the catcher and glances at the runner
Floyd | leading off third base.  He then looks to the plate, back to the

Floyd | runner and again to the plate.  You're getting anxious.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | It's too far away.

Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher starts his wind-up.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | It's too far away.
Floyd |
Floyd | The noise level has reached an all time high.  The pitcher completes
Floyd | his wind-up and delivers the pitch.  You watch the baseball leave his
Floyd | hand.  Hero time.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | It's too far away.
Floyd |
Floyd | You watch a curve ball catch the outside of the plate and you go down

Floyd | without a fight.  Strike three, you're out.
Floyd |
Floyd | You slowly walk back to the dugout, bat in hand.  Reality didn't play
Floyd | out like your dream.  Your teammates try to console you, but you're
Floyd | numb.  You take a quick shower, meet up with your wife and kids and
Floyd | head home.  There's always next year.

Floyd |
Floyd | *** You have failed to be a hero ***
Floyd |
Floyd | You may restore a saved game, start over, quit, or undo the current
Floyd | command.
Floyd | Please enter RESTORE, RESTART, QUIT, or UNDO:  >

Floyd | (Undoing one command)
Floyd |
Floyd | Fenway Park, At Bat

Floyd |    You are standing in the batter's box, awaiting the biggest pitch of
Floyd | your career.  The crowd is standing, screaming at the top of their
Floyd | lungs.  You can barely hear yourself think.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | (Undoing one command)
Floyd |
Floyd | Fenway Park, At Bat
Floyd |    You are standing in the batter's box, awaiting the biggest pitch of

Floyd | your career.  The crowd is standing, screaming at the top of their
Floyd | lungs.  You can barely hear yourself think.  The catcher gives his
Floyd | pitcher a target.  The third base coach has his eyes fixed on you.
Floyd | The base runners are approaching full speed, anticipating the hit.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | (Undoing one command)
Floyd |
Floyd | Fenway Park, At Bat
Floyd |    You are standing in the batter's box, awaiting the biggest pitch of

Floyd | your career.  The crowd is standing, screaming at the top of their
Floyd | lungs.  You can barely hear yourself think.  You glance down at the
Floyd | catcher and see him shift his weight to the inner edge of the strike
Floyd | zone.  You are more relaxed knowing the location of the curve ball.
Floyd | The coach stares in at the pitcher, anticipating the wind-up.  The
Floyd | runners break away from their bases.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "pithcver".
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | (your bat)
Floyd | You take a practice swing, anticipating the pitch.

Floyd |
Floyd | The pitcher starts his wind-up.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd |
Floyd | The noise level has reached an all time high.  The pitcher completes
Floyd | his wind-up and delivers the pitch.  You watch the baseball leave his
Floyd | hand.  Hero time.  The crowd is roaring.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | (your bat)
Floyd | You focus on the ball approaching the plate.  You extend your arms and
Floyd | the bat and ball meet.  As soon as you hit it, you know that it has a
Floyd | shot to leave the park.  You watch the ball drift toward the center

Floyd | field bleachers.  You toss the bat aside and start running up the
Floyd | first base line and by the time you round first, you see the ball land
Floyd | in the seats.  Euphoria.  You don't even remember touching the second
Floyd | base bag and as you hit third, you look up and see your wife and kids,
Floyd | screaming and jumping for joy.  The crowd is so loud you can't even
Floyd | hear the sound of your footsteps on the dirt.

Floyd |
Floyd | The third base coach slaps you on the butt as you pass him and home
Floyd | plate is near.  This is the defining moment of your baseball career
Floyd | and all of your teammates are there to greet you.  Your team is going
Floyd | to the World Series and you're a big part of it.  As you step on the
Floyd | plate, you are immediately mobbed. You don't remember the first five

Floyd | minutes, just a bunch of grown men laughing, screaming, crying and
Floyd | hugging.  You end up on the ground in a ceremonial pig pile.
Floyd |
Floyd | You don't feel the sharp pain in your leg for at least several
Floyd | seconds.  You then realize someone's metal spike has inadvertently
Floyd | torn a gash across the lower part of your thigh.  At first your

Floyd | screams are thought to be part of the celebration and nobody notices.
Floyd | The red splash of blood is quite a contrast to your white Red Sox
Floyd | uniform.  Somebody finally notices.
Floyd |
Floyd | Trainer's Room, on the table
Floyd |    The pain is really starting to set in now, especially since Charlie

Floyd | is cleaning the wound.  You don't even remember being dragged into the
Floyd | trainer's room and plopped onto the table.  You just wish the pain
Floyd | would go away so you could start celebrating the victory.
Floyd |
Floyd | The trainer's room is not a place you're familiar with.  In fact, this
Floyd | is the first time you've been hurt since playing for the Red Sox; who

Floyd | would have imagined that your first injury would be sustained during a
Floyd | celebration.
Floyd |
Floyd | Various and sundry medical supplies are scattered about the room.  In
Floyd | the center of the room is a large table (the one you're sitting on)
Floyd | and the exit is through a door to the south.

Floyd |    Charlie the trainer is here, looking at your wound.
Floyd |
Floyd | "You're very lucky, Jake," says Charlie, "the cut is not too deep.
Floyd | Another inch or so and it could have damaged the muscle."
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | It's not visible right now, but it hurts a lot.
Floyd |
Floyd | "I'm going to give you a shot of morphine," says Charlie.  "This
Floyd | should make the pain subside."  Charlie draws the syringe and wipes

Floyd | the area around the wound with some alcohol.  "Hold still now!" quips
Floyd | Charlie.  You barely feel the needle.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Time passes...
Floyd |
Floyd | "In the best interests of you and the team," says Charlie, "we're
Floyd | sending you to the local hospital."
Floyd |
Floyd | You open your mouth to object, but Charlie raises his hand and motions

Floyd | you to be quiet.
Floyd |
Floyd | "I know what you're going to say, Jake," continues Charlie.  "This is
Floyd | the biggest night of your career, you want to celebrate with the team;
Floyd | yadda, yadda, yadda."
Floyd |

Floyd | Charlie clears his throat and starts to speak again.  "The team can't
Floyd | afford to have you miss game one of the Series; they need you in the
Floyd | lineup," adds Charlie.  "Just let the hospital run some routine tests
Floyd | and you'll be back here in a couple of hours.  We're even going to
Floyd | send you by ambulance so they can start the routine right away."
Floyd |

Floyd | Reluctantly, you agree to go to the hospital.  It's not like you
Floyd | really have a choice because you want to make sure you're ready for
Floyd | Game One.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Time passes...
Floyd |
Floyd | Charlie looks at his watch.
Floyd |

Floyd | "Okay, Jake.  It's 11:20, they should be here in less than 5 minutes.
Floyd | You don't have time to take a shower or change, but at least change
Floyd | into your sneakers.  I can imagine that you're not too fond of metal
Floyd | spikes right now."  He chuckles.
Floyd |
Floyd | You look down at your cleats and the half-inch metal spikes and

Floyd | shiver, thinking that one of them almost ruined the World Series for
Floyd | you.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Wait until you reach the locker room.
Floyd |
Floyd | Your wife and twin daughters enter the trainer's room.  You jump off
Floyd | the table, wince in pain for a second, and then greet them.  You
Floyd | explain what Charlie has told you and the fact that you need to spend
Floyd | a couple of hours at the local hospital.  You and your wife work out a

Floyd | plan and decide to meet at the hospital in an hour.  That should give
Floyd | her enough time to drop off the kids at her mom's house.  Your wife,
Floyd | visibly relieved that you're okay, plants a kiss on your cheek as you
Floyd | give your daughters a reassuring hug.  Your youngest waves as Charlie
Floyd | walks the three of them out.
Floyd |

Floyd | So much for the big celebration.
Floyd |
Floyd | You exit the trainer's room and head for your locker.  Most of the
Floyd | players and their families have already left for the party; you'll
Floyd | just have to catch up with them later.  You put on your Nike sneakers
Floyd | and place your lucky Swiss army knife into your rear pocket.  You

Floyd | never go anywhere without it.
Floyd |
Floyd | A moment later, a couple of paramedics escort you out of the locker
Floyd | room by the back door and into the ambulance.  What a night.
Floyd |
Floyd | Ambulance, on the stretcher

Floyd |    Thank goodness Charlie was right: the pain is starting to subside.
Floyd | It's hard to believe that fifty minutes ago you were hitting a
Floyd | dramatic grand slam.  Now?  Now you're strapped to a stretcher in an
Floyd | ambulance heading down Division Street.  You've traveled this road
Floyd | countless times, but usually as a driver heading home after a game or
Floyd | practice.  It really hasn't sunk in yet.

Floyd |
Floyd | You can't see much of the ambulance, considering you're on your back.
Floyd | Apart from the ambulance ceiling, you can make out the ambulance door,
Floyd | which is obviously closed, and an IV pole.  Various medical supplies
Floyd | are scattered about and the rhythmic sounds of the different machines
Floyd | beeping and humming is almost soothing; almost.

Floyd |    A technician, whose name is Jason -- at least that's the name sewn
Floyd | on his jacket -- is here.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | "No need to worry about the IV," says Jason in a soothing voice.
Floyd |
Floyd | "I'm sorry, Jake," says Jason.  "I know you may think it's
Floyd | unnecessary, but it's policy, you need to be strapped in."  He
Floyd | continues, "I just need to perform some routine procedures; please be
Floyd | patient."

Floyd |
Floyd | Jason then turns around and starts to gather his blood pressure
Floyd | equipment.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "strapes".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The straps are prohibiting any movement.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The IV pole is used to hang the appropriate medicine and/or saline
Floyd | solution that would be pumped into your body intravenously.  The pole
Floyd | is standing near the head of the stretcher.
Floyd |
Floyd | Jason wraps a medical cuff around your arm, flips the stethoscope over
Floyd | his head and begins to pump the bulb.  You feel the cuff tighten

Floyd | around your arm, and then just when it starts to get uncomfortable,
Floyd | the pressure slowly releases from the cuff.  Jason listens intently
Floyd | through his stethoscope and a few moments later, removes the cuff.
Floyd |
Floyd | "One-fifteen over sixty-two," says Jason.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | The technician is named Jason, or at least that's the name sewn on his
Floyd | jacket. He stands about six feet tall, is in his mid-forties and has a
Floyd | neatly trimmed goatee.  He entering some information in your file.

Floyd |
Floyd | Jason updates his file.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | "Your file can be reviewed once we reach the hospital," replies Jason.
Floyd |
Floyd | Jason grabs your wrist, feels for your pulse and after a brief period
Floyd | of time, looks down at his watch.
Floyd |
Floyd | "Sixty-four," he Jason.  "By the way, Jake, I see here that you're

Floyd | diabetic.  Make sure you take care of that, low blood sugar can sneak
Floyd | up on you rather quickly."
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | "I'm no expert, but I do know that you should eat at regular intervals
Floyd | or your low blood sugar may cause you to black out," replies Jason,
Floyd | almost as if he's reciting from a medical book.
Floyd |
Floyd | Jason looks around for something.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You're strapped to the stretcher; you can't move.
Floyd |
Floyd | Jason snaps off the cap of a new thermometer and places it under your

Floyd | tongue.  A few moments later he removes it and turns it slightly to
Floyd | read your temperature.
Floyd |
Floyd | "Ninety-eight point six," says Jason.  "I've completed the necessary
Floyd | round of checks," he continues.  "You just need to sit tight until we
Floyd | reach the hospital.  We should be there shortly."

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "insurance".
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "hospital".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "food".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "sugar".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Ambulance, on the stretcher
Floyd |    You can't see much of the ambulance, considering you're on your
Floyd | back.  Apart from the ambulance ceiling, you can make out the

Floyd | ambulance door, which is obviously closed.  Various medical supplies
Floyd | are scattered about and the rhythmic sounds of the different machines
Floyd | beeping and humming is almost soothing; almost.
Floyd |    You see an IV pole here.
Floyd |    A technician is here.
Floyd |

Floyd | Jason organizes his files.
Floyd |
Floyd | >
Floyd | I don't know the word "missing".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The medical supplies are of no use to you.
Floyd |
Floyd | Your body jerks forward and you immediately hear the screeching sound
Floyd | of the ambulance tires.  A moment later the ambulance begins to

Floyd | fishtail and you watch the various medical supplies bounce off the
Floyd | walls.  Jason is thrown down on the floor and you helplessly watch him
Floyd | get peppered with falling objects.  You then hear, and feel, a
Floyd | tremendous crash followed by some screaming coming from the driver's
Floyd | compartment.  Jason appears unconscious and is now lying underneath a
Floyd | large piece of equipment.

Floyd |
Floyd | The ambulance begins to spin uncontrollably as you hold on to the side
Floyd | railings with a determined grip.  To the stretcher's credit, it has
Floyd | kept you safe up until this point; you wonder for a moment what you
Floyd | would be doing if you weren't strapped in.
Floyd |

Floyd | Just as the ambulance appears to come to a stop, you look out the
Floyd | small window of the back door and see the ambulance veer off the road
Floyd | and start to plummet down the side of a cliff.  The back door flies
Floyd | open and you watch the contents of the ambulance get thrown out
Floyd | systematically.  You turn your head away as you watch Jason slide out
Floyd | the back of the ambulance; who knows if he'll survive.

Floyd |
Floyd | The vehicle continues to plunge down the precipice but remarkably
Floyd | stays on its wheels.  The stretcher appears to be on the verge of
Floyd | tipping over several times but its position in the ambulance and its
Floyd | braking system prevent it from doing any damage to you.  The IV pole
Floyd | crashes on top of you, your quick reflexes help you avoid it colliding

Floyd | with your head, and it ends up leaning up against the stretcher.  The
Floyd | ambulance continues to tumble and slowly comes to rest near some thick
Floyd | brush, a good thirty feet from the road.
Floyd |
Floyd | An instant later, you hear the engine compartment burst into flames.
Floyd | Your eyes widen: you know you don't have much time left before the

Floyd | entire ambulance is engulfed in flames.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Enter saved game to store:

Floyd | Saved.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "reach".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't reach the knife.
Floyd |
Floyd | You can hear the fire crackle and grow in intensity.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't reach the Swiss army knife; the straps limit your movement.
Floyd |
Floyd | The fire has now consumed the entire engine compartment.  You can

Floyd | smell the strong pungent odor of the smoke.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The straps are prohibiting any movement.

Floyd |
Floyd | The fire advances toward you.  The heat is starting to make you sweat
Floyd | and the smoke is starting to fill the cabin.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "wriggle".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | What do you want to slide?
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You're not going anywhere until you get off of the stretcher.
Floyd |
Floyd | You can feel the fire inching toward you.  You can hear the roar of
Floyd | the flames lick the side of the ambulance walls.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "bite".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Jason looks awkwardly at you.
Floyd |
Floyd | The intense heat is almost too much for you to take.  It appears as if
Floyd | the stretcher has caught fire and the thick black smoke is making it

Floyd | almost impossible for you to see.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't know the word "free".
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Taken.
Floyd |
Floyd | The inside of the ambulance is almost an inferno.  The heat is so
Floyd | intense that you pass out.  It's probably best that you did -- you
Floyd | don't survive the barbecue.
Floyd |

Floyd | *** You have failed to safely return to your family ***
Floyd |
Floyd | You may restore a saved game, start over, quit, or undo the current
Floyd | command.
Floyd | Please enter RESTORE, RESTART, QUIT, or UNDO:  >

Floyd | Please enter RESTORE, RESTART, QUIT, or UNDO:  >

Floyd | Enter saved game to load:

Floyd | Ambulance, on the stretcher
Floyd |    The ambulance is cluttered with machines, medical supplies and
Floyd | broken glass. The ambulance door is wide open and you can see thick
Floyd | brush dotting the landscape.  The ambulance itself appears to be

Floyd | tilted on a steep angle: if it weren't for the brakes on the
Floyd | stretcher, you would have rolled right out the back door.
Floyd |
Floyd | You're still strapped to the stretcher and the IV pole is leaning up
Floyd | against you.  You can hear and feel the fire getting closer.  The
Floyd | smoke is making it hard for you to breathe.

Floyd |    You see an IV pole here.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The IV pole doesn't appear appetizing.

Floyd |
Floyd | You can hear the fire crackle and grow in intensity.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Taken.
Floyd |
Floyd | The fire has now consumed the entire engine compartment.  You can
Floyd | smell the strong pungent odor of the smoke.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You lower the IV pole and poke at the brake.  You hear a click and the
Floyd | brake is disengaged.
Floyd |
Floyd | With the brake disengaged, the stretcher quickly accelerates unchecked

Floyd | through the smoke and flames, shooting out the rear of the ambulance,
Floyd | the cool air hitting you like a wall.  For a brief moment you hang
Floyd | weightless, and then with a sudden jolt the wheels make contact with
Floyd | the steep terrain beneath you, knocking the IV pole from your grip.
Floyd | Strapped in helplessly as the unguided stretcher continues to hurtle
Floyd | downhill through heavy brush, every rock sending it dangerously atilt,

Floyd | every branch threatening to take your head off, all you can do is
Floyd | close your eyes and pray that you're not headed directly for a tree,
Floyd | lake, or precipitous drop.  Finally, the inevitable impact that you
Floyd | wish you could have seen coming: the stretcher slams into a rock with
Floyd | such force that you find yourself flipping over, snapping right
Floyd | through the strap over your chest and arms, and landing upside-down in

Floyd | a low scrub tree.
Floyd |
Floyd | You're upside-down, hanging uncomfortably from the strap around your
Floyd | legs.  But never mind that; you're just glad that the ride is over and
Floyd | that you're still in one piece.
Floyd |

Floyd | Heavy Brush, on the stretcher
Floyd |    You're on the stretcher, hanging upside down.  The wheels of the
Floyd | stretcher seem to be caught in some heavy brush right near a large oak
Floyd | tree.  Above, you can see a red glow coming from the ambulance; below,
Floyd | the slope of the cliff continues its descent toward the water.
Floyd |

Floyd | With a terrible explosion the ambulance bursts into flames.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You remove the Swiss army knife from your back pocket.
Floyd |
Floyd | The fire is starting to spread through the forest brush at an alarming
Floyd | rate.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You reach up to your legs and grab hold of the strap with your left
Floyd | hand as you begin to cut the strap with your right.  The straps are

Floyd | tougher than you thought and require some elbow grease to get the job
Floyd | done.  Halfway through, you glance up at the approaching fire and
Floyd | figure you literally have seconds before it's too late.  The intense
Floyd | heat of the blaze is making your hands sweat and you feel your left
Floyd | hand slipping as you try to maintain your balance.  With one last
Floyd | thrust, you manage to cut off the bottom strap.

Floyd |
Floyd | You weren't prepared for the incredible jolt you receive as you slide
Floyd | down the stretcher and into the thick brush.  The steep descent
Floyd | catches you off guard as you tumble down the precipitous slope.  You
Floyd | have no control over your arms and legs as they flail helplessly,
Floyd | trying to grab on to something that can stop your fall.

Floyd |
Floyd | Just about when you thought your ride was over, you roll past another
Floyd | thick brush into thin air.  You fall for few silent seconds and land
Floyd | on your back with a heavy thud; thank goodness the soft beach sand
Floyd | broke your fall.  You look at your right hand.  You can't believe you
Floyd | managed to hold on to your lucky Swiss army knife, especially without

Floyd | cutting yourself.
Floyd |
Floyd | You lay motionless for a while, admiring the full moon, ominously
Floyd | casting an eerie light on the ocean.  You can hear the waves crashing
Floyd | onto the beach and you can't help but laugh.  Such a beautiful moment
Floyd | landscape-wise, considering a few moments ago you were almost engulfed

Floyd | in a savage inferno.  After catching your breath, you stand up and
Floyd | shake off the sand; what a night.
Floyd |
Floyd | Beach Alcove
Floyd |    You're standing at the end of a beach alcove.  From what you can
Floyd | see there's a large cliff to the north, making this a very private

Floyd | area.  The forest is up and to the east, unreachable from this point.
Floyd | The ocean lies to the west and goes as far as the eyes can see.  The
Floyd | beach path continues south.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Enter saved game to store:

Floyd | Saved.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Enter saved game to store:

Floyd | Saved.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | Stretch of Beach
Floyd |    You've made your way to a nice stretch of beach.  The surroundings
Floyd | resemble the alcove where you first entered the beach.  The ocean

Floyd | spans your field of vision to the west and the thick impenetrable
Floyd | forest is up to the east.  The beach ends abruptly to the north but
Floyd | continues to the south.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Private Beach
Floyd |    The moon sheds just enough light for you to imagine the
Floyd | breathtaking view this location must have during the day.  Your best
Floyd | guess is that you're on a private beach, protected by a massive cliff

Floyd | wall to the south.  To the east is a small path that appears to lead
Floyd | to a prominent looking gate.  To the north, a smaller stretch of beach
Floyd | leads into darkness.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Gate Entrance
Floyd |    You're standing before a large metal gate.  A tall stone wall
Floyd | extends to the north and south, wrapping around what appears to be an
Floyd | enormous house.  The gate is closed.  Beyond the gate to the east is a

Floyd | path that leads toward a house.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | They're your legs.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | I don't see any wound here.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | The large metal gate separates the beach from the manicured property
Floyd | of the house on the hill.  It is somewhat Gothic looking and seems out
Floyd | of place.  Attached to the gate is a latch, secured by a small

Floyd | padlock.  The gate is closed.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The padlock has seen better days.  The salt air has done a number on

Floyd | the metal, the tiny keyhole is full of rust, and it wouldn't be a
Floyd | surprise if it didn't work at all.  The padlock is locked.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You tug at the padlock but it doesn't open.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You try to jam the Swiss army knife blade into the padlock but have no
Floyd | luck; the Swiss army knife blade doesn't fit.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Apart from it being rather high and dangerous, there are no good
Floyd | footholds to start your climb.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Violence isn't the answer.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Nothing happens.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The latch is used to lock the gate in place.  It's currently in the

Floyd | locked position and there's a padlock hanging from it.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Violence isn't the answer.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You see no way to do that.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | Your Swiss army knife has been with you for the last fifteen years.
Floyd | It got handed down to you by your dad when you turned eighteen, which
Floyd | is one of the reasons it means so much to you.  Apart from the

Floyd | frighteningly sharp knife, it also contains a flathead screwdriver, a
Floyd | Phillips screwdriver, a bottle opener, tiny scissors and an awl.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You insert the awl and poke inside the padlock for a bit.  After a
Floyd | couple of jabs, a fair amount of rust escapes from the padlock; you
Floyd | hear a small click.  You remove the awl from the padlock and try to

Floyd | open it.  Success!
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You first remove the padlock from the latch and then lift the latch.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | As you swing the gate open, a tremendous screeching sound fills the
Floyd | night air, you can hear the din reverberate in every direction.  The
Floyd | gate apparently isn't used as often as one might think, considering
Floyd | the incredible beach it protects.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You walk up the winding stone path, passing by numerous flower beds,
Floyd | sculpted bushes and ornate lawn decorations.  Each section of the yard

Floyd | is meticulously manicured as if the house was featured on the cover of
Floyd | Home and Garden each week.  After a brisk walk, you climb several
Floyd | stairs and enter the wrap-around porch.
Floyd |
Floyd | Porch
Floyd |    You're standing at the back entrance of the house which is flanked

Floyd | by an enormous wrap-around porch.  A set of double doors made up of
Floyd | mostly smoked glass is to the east.  The porch runs both north and
Floyd | south.
Floyd |
Floyd | The house is eerily absent of any light.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | The double doors are closed.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The double doors are locked.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You knock on the door.  Eerie silence.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | That would create too much of a disturbance; you're afraid you'd scare
Floyd | the owners and get promptly shot.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | North End of Porch
Floyd |    You're standing at the north end of the wrap-around porch, which
Floyd | ends abruptly due to the fact that the external casing of the chimney
Floyd | needed to be accounted for.  Two large windows flank the fireplace

Floyd | casing.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The casing is part of the house, shaped in the form of a chimney.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The windows are very large and, when there's sunlight, must give the

Floyd | room inside an incredible view of the ocean.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | You can't open the windows from the outside.

Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | Porch
Floyd |    You're standing at the back entrance of the house which is flanked

Floyd | by an enormous wrap-around porch.  A set of double doors made up of
Floyd | mostly smoked glass is to the east.  The porch runs both north and
Floyd | south.
Floyd |
Floyd | The house is eerily absent of any light.
Floyd |

Floyd | >

Floyd | South End of Porch
Floyd |    You've made your way to the south end of the wrap-around porch,
Floyd | which continues to the east.  A pair of large windows offers the room

Floyd | inside an exceptional view of the ocean.  The porch also continues
Floyd | north.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | East End of Porch
Floyd |    You're standing at the east end of the wrap-around porch, which
Floyd | ends near a patio door.  The porch continues to the west.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | The patio door looks as if it's been compromised.  The glass from one
Floyd | of the window panes is missing and the door is closed.
Floyd |
Floyd | >

Floyd | (Opening the patio door)
Floyd |
Floyd | >